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Mertensia longiflora - Greene.

Common Name Small bluebells
Family Boraginaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Open or lightly shaded places in plains and foothills, often with sagebrush or ponderosa pine, occasionally to 1500 metres[60].
Range Western N. America - British Columbia to California.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Mertensia longiflora Small bluebells


www.fs.fed.us
Mertensia longiflora Small bluebells
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahalie/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Mertensia longiflora is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves
Edible Uses:

Flowers - raw[172]. Leaves - raw or cooked[172]. The leaves are rather hairy and are not so nice when eaten raw[172].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in an ordinary garden soil with some shade[1, 111].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1, 200]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Protect from direct sunlight[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division, with care, in early spring or autumn[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Mertensia bellaBeautiful bluebellsPerennial0.6 0-0  LMHSNMWe10 
Mertensia ciliataMountain Bell, Tall fringed bluebellsPerennial0.8 4-8  LMHSNMWe11 
Mertensia maritimaOyster PlantPerennial0.2 3-7  LMNDM30 
Mertensia oblongifoliaOblongleaf bluebellsPerennial0.3 4-8  LMHSNMWe10 
Mertensia paniculataTall bluebells, Alaska tall bluebells, Northern bluebells, Eastwood's bluebellsPerennial0.8 4-8  LMHSNMWe10 
Saxifraga mertensianaWood saxifragePerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNMWe10 
Tsuga mertensianaMountain HemlockTree45.0 5-7 MLMHFSNM123

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Greene.

Botanical References

60200

Links / References

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