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Mertensia is a genus of flowering plants in the borage family Boraginaceae. They are perennial herbaceous plants with blue or sometimes white flowers that open from pink-tinged buds. Such a change in flower color is common in Boraginaceae and is caused by changes in soil pH. Mertensia is one of several plants that are commonly called "bluebell". In spite of their common name, the flowers are usually salverform (trumpet-shaped) rather than campanulate (bell-shaped).
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Aspen bluebells being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Mertensia ciliata
- Mertensia franciscana
- Mertensia lanceolata
- Mertensia oblongifolia
- Mertensia bella
- Mertensia fendleri
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Order
- Boraginales
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Genus
- Mertensia
- Species
- Mertensia arizonica
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