Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Boraginales
Genus:
Species:
virginica
ID:
1215746

Status:
valid

Authors:
(L.) Pers. ex Link

Source:
tro

Year:
1829

Citation Micro:
Handbuch 1: 580 (1829)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001215084



Common Names

  • Mertensia virginica
  • Virginica
  • Mertensia


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Description

Mertensia virginica (also called Virginia Bluebells, among many other common names) is a perennial herb native to eastern North America. It has a hairy stem and leaves, and produces blue flowers. It is commonly found in moist woodlands and meadows.

Uses & Benefits

Mertensia virginica is used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, headaches, and sore throats. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Mertensia virginica is a bright blue-violet and has five petals. The seed is a small, dark brown nutlet. The seedlings are small and have a single stem with a few leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Mertensia virginica is a perennial herb that can be propagated from seed or division. It prefers moist, well-drained soil in partial shade. It is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and can tolerate temperatures as low as -20°C. It can be pruned to maintain a compact shape.

Where to Find Mertensia virginica

Mertensia virginica is native to North America and can be found in moist woodlands and along stream banks.

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,

References

Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link (1767-1851): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Link' in the authors string.
Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'L.' in the authors string.
Christiaan Hendrik Persoon (1761-1836): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Pers.' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:118695-1: Based on the initial data import