Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Boraginales
Genus:
Species:
oreophila
ID:
368855

Status:
valid

Authors:
L.O.Williams

Source:
ksu

Year:
1937

Citation Micro:
Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 24: 134 (1937)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000368187

Common Names

  • Mertensia oreophila
  • Mountain-loving Mertensia
  • Mountain-loving Oysterleaf

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Description

Mertensia oreophila (also called Appalachian bluebells, among many other common names) is a perennial herb native to North America. It has a basal rosette of leaves with a single stem that can reach up to 1 m in height. Its flowers are blue-violet and bloom in spring and summer. It can be found in woodlands, meadows and in disturbed soils.

Uses & Benefits

Mertensia oreophila is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a ground cover. It is also used to make herbal tea and as a natural insect repellent.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Mertensia oreophila has small, blue flowers, and its seeds are small, round, and black. The seedlings have a single pair of leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Mertensia oreophila is an evergreen shrub that can be grown in full sun or partial shade. It is best propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late summer or early autumn. The cuttings should be about 10 cm long and should be taken from the current season's growth. They should be planted in a well-drained, sandy soil and kept moist until they have rooted. Once rooted, they can be transplanted into individual pots or into the garden.

Where to Find Mertensia oreophila

Mertensia oreophila is native to North America and can be found in moist, open woods and meadows.

Mertensia oreophila FAQ

What are the growing requirements of Mertensia oreophila?

Mertensia oreophila prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.

What is the optimal temperature for Mertensia oreophila?

Mertensia oreophila prefers temperatures between 15-25°C.

What is the ideal soil pH for Mertensia oreophila?

Mertensia oreophila prefers a soil pH of 6.0-7.5.

Species in the Mertensia genus

Mertensia stylosa, Mertensia tweedyi, Mertensia oreophila, Mertensia ovata, Mertensia maritima, Mertensia rivularis, Mertensia serrulata, Mertensia pratensis, Mertensia pterocarpa, Mertensia coronata, Mertensia sinica, Mertensia franciscana, Mertensia davurica, Mertensia kamczatica, Mertensia virginica, Mertensia platyphylla, Mertensia subcordata, Mertensia umbratilis, Mertensia arizonica, Mertensia bakeri, Mertensia bella, Mertensia brevistyla, Mertensia campanulata, Mertensia ciliata, Mertensia cusickii, Mertensia humilis, Mertensia lanceolata, Mertensia longiflora, Mertensia macdougalii, Mertensia viridis, Mertensia pallasii, Mertensia sibirica, Mertensia simplicissima, Mertensia meyeriana, Mertensia lineariloba, Mertensia cynoglossoides, Mertensia brachyloba, Mertensia lateriflora, Mertensia brachycalyx, Mertensia nivalis, Mertensia fendleri, Mertensia nevadensis, Mertensia cana, Mertensia eastwoodiae, Mertensia mexicana, Mertensia dahurica, Mertensia serrulata, Mertensia grahamii, Mertensia longipedunculata, Mertensia parvifolia,

Species in the Boraginaceae family

Actinocarya acaulis, Actinocarya tibetica, Adelocaryum coelestinum, Adelocaryum flexuosum, Adelocaryum malabaricum, Adelocaryum nebulicola, Adelocaryum lambertianum, Aegonychon purpurocaeruleum, Aegonychon zollingeri, Aegonychon purpurea-coeruleum, Aegonychon calabricum, Aegonychon calabrum, Afrotysonia africana, Afrotysonia glochidiata, Afrotysonia pilosicaulis, Alkanna amana, Alkanna angustifolia, Alkanna areolata, Alkanna attilae, Alkanna aucheriana, Alkanna auranitica, Alkanna bracteosa, Alkanna caliensis, Alkanna cappadocica, Alkanna confusa, Alkanna corcyrensis, Alkanna cordifolia, Alkanna dumanii, Alkanna frigida, Alkanna froedinii, Alkanna galilaea, Alkanna graeca, Alkanna haussknechtii, Alkanna hellenica, Alkanna hirsutissima, Alkanna hispida, Alkanna incana, Alkanna intercedens, Alkanna jordanovii, Alkanna kotschyana, Alkanna leiocarpa, Alkanna leptophylla, Alkanna lutea, Alkanna macrophylla, Alkanna macrosiphon, Alkanna maleolens, Alkanna megacarpa, Alkanna methanaea, Alkanna milliana, Alkanna mughlae,