Tall Bluebells, Lungwort
Mertensia paniculata
Family: Boraginaceae
What it is like
A herb. There are several stems. It grows 30-60 cm high. It has a branching woody base. The lower leaves are sword shaped and hairy on both sides. They are on slender winged leaf stalks. The leaves on the stem do not have leaf stalks. The flowers are in drooping clusters. They are bell shaped and pink in bud but bright blue when open. The fruit are 4 angled dry small nuts.
There are 50 Mertensia species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in alpine brooks and in damp willow thickets in the Rocky Mountains.
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The flowers and nectar are especially eaten by children.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, nectar
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Northern bluebells