Wildflowers of the United States
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Virginia Bluebells - Mertensia virginica


Family: Boraginaceae – Borage family Genus Common Name: Bluebells Native Status: Native
Mertensia virginica - Virginia Bluebells. Virginia Bluebell is a showy, early spring wildflower found through most of the eastern United States.
Journal Articles Referencing Bluebells
Distribution of Mertensia virginica in the United States and Canada:
USDA Plants Distribution Map
Blue=Native; Grey=Introduced

Map from USDA Plants Database:
USDA, NRCS. 2009. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 09 Sep 2010). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

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Site: The Pocket Date: 2008-April-02Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Virginia Bluebells have dense clusters of pink flower buds with long corolla tubes. The blossoms usually turn blue as they open. Walker County, GA
Mertensia virginica
Site: The Pocket, Walker County GA Date: 2009-March-09Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D60
1/80 f/5.6 ISO400
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm 4-5.6G ED
200mm (300 equiv)
Virginia Bluebell has soft-looking green leaves which are an elongated ovate shape with blunt tips.
Mertensia virginica

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2010
Photographs Copyrighted by the named photographer


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