Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Mertensia longiflora is a species of flowering plant in the borage family known by the common names small bluebells and long bluebells. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Montana, where it grows in several types of habitat. It is a perennial herb producing an erect stem from a branching caudex, approaching 40 centimeters in maximum height. There are a few oval to lance-shaped leaves. The flower cluster is a dense, often crowded cluster of hanging tubular flowers with expanded, bell-like mouths. They are generally bright blue, but may be lavender to pinkish to nearly white, and measure up to 2.5 centimeters long.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 ft Tall

Sun

Partial Shade

Site type

Open, spring-moist places

Plant communities

Yellow Pine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 5 likely

Confirmed Likely

Anicia Checkerspot

Euphydryas anicia

Variable Checkerspot

Euphydryas chalcedona

Wild Forget-Me-Not Moth

Gnophaela latipennis

Police Car Moth

Gnophaela vermiculata