[Bluebells: The Genus Mertensia in the Columbia River
Gorge of Oregon and Washington]
Bugle Lungwort, Leafy Bluebell, Leafy Lungwort, Oblongleaf Bluebells, Prairie Mertensia, Sagebrush Bluebells
Mertensia oblongifolia
Synonyms: Mertensia bakeri, Mertensia bakeri var. osterhoutii, Mertensia cusickii, Mertensia fusiformis, Mertensia lanceolata var. fendleri, Mertensia lanceolata var. nivalis, Mertensia lanceolata var. pubens, Mertensia lanceolata var. viridis, Mertensia oblongifolia var. amoena, Mertensia oblongifolia var. nevadensis, Mertensia oblongifolia var. oblongifolia, Mertensia oreophila, Mertensia paniculata var. nivalis, Mertensia perplexa, Mertensia toiyabensis, Mertensis x umbratilis, Mertensia viridis, Mertensia viridis var. caelestina, Mertensia viridis var. cana, Mertensia viridis var. cynoglossoides, Mertensia viridis var. parvifolia
The
photo at right represents Mertensia oblongifolia from Jackman Park C.G.,
Steens Mt.....June 24, 2000.
Characteristics:
Leafy bluebells is an attractive wildflower with several to
many erect stems from 10-40 cm high. The basal leaves are elliptic, oblanceolate,
or lance-ovate in shape with blades 2-15 cm long and 0.7-6 cm wide on a well-developed
petiole. The numerous stem leaves are well developed and longer than the internodes
(space between leaves), ranging from 2.5-7 times as long as wide. They are acute
to obtuse at the tip and only the lower leaves are petiolate.
The inflorescence consists of several clusters of drooping flowers
at the ends of the stems. The tubular corolla is 1-2 cm in length with the tube
1.3-2 times longer than the slightly expanded limb (distal portion of the corolla).
The calyx is 2.5-6 mm long and cleft to near the base.
Habitat:
Leafy bluebells may be found on open slopes, in dry meadows,
and often among sagebrush from the plains and foothills to moderate elevations
in the mountains.
Range:
Leafy bluebells may be found entirely east of the Cascades south
to central Nevada and northern Utah (Wasatch and Bear River ranges), and east
to the edge of the Great Plains (eastern edge of the Rocky Mts.) in northern
Wyoming.
In the Columbia River Gorge it is only found at an elevation
of 2800' at the crest of the Columbia Hills north and east of the Dalles, OR.
The photo above represents Mertensia oblongifolia from
the north loop road to the Steens Mt., near M.P. 9.........May 27, 2000.
Paul Slichter