Mertensia virginica
   compleat botanica    plants    specimen names    Specimen (Me - Me)   
 
 
   
This page was created using standard templates and sample data from
The Compleat Botanica.

Learn how you can publish your own plant pictures and plant-related data using
The Compleat Botanica.

 

 

Taxonomic
ranks

Details

 

Sponsors

 

 

Mertensia virginica

Virginia bluebells
lungwort

  family boraginaceae 
  genus mertensia 

More specimen entries
[prev]  [mertensia virginica]  [Next]

 

Identification
Genus  Mertensia Species  virginica Variety  Cultivar  Common names  Virginia bluebells   lungwort Family  BORAGINACEAE Specimen number  S11426 Data source  HtZn p142;HumGrdn p71;Xeri p289
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Perennial Life span  3 - 10 years Annual cycle  Not applicable Stature  Various Growth form  Not applicable Growth habit  Various Overall height  2' Overall spread   
 
Climate
Sunshine  Various Water  Moist to wet Optimal soil texture  Fertile Acceptable soil pH  Neutral USDA hardiness  USDA zones 03a-10b AHS heat zones  Heat zones 07-01 Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  yes Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  Mertensia virginica has flowers that hummingbirds love to feed on. Virginia bluebells (also known as lungwort) can survive very cold winters with annual averages as low as -40� Fahrenheit. This plant does very well with hot summer days. This species likes soils that are fertile. It needs soil that is moist to wet.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  no Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses    Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  yes Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest    Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen    Hay fever season    Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  Medicinal parts  Has medicinal uses  no Do not self-administer  no Do no use if pregnant  no Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  Medicinal notes 
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  Fragrance parts  Fragrance intensity    Fragrance category    Dye parts  Dye color 
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Bulb Pollination method    Planting style    Crop spacing    Row spacing    Cold frame  Planting period    Harvesting period    Frost tolerance    Heat requirement    Fertilizer  Typical Time to harvest 
 
Nutrition
Is edible  no Culinary uses  Nutritional value  Edible parts  Description of edible parts Flavor / texture 
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes  Mertensia virginica is typically propagated using its bulbs. Virginia bluebells (in some places called lungwort) most likely originates from Eastern US.
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes  Mertensia virginica is a perennial. Leaves: Virginia bluebells (locally known in some parts as lungwort) has pointed oval-shaped leaves. Flowers: This plant has loose flower clusters of nodding bells on long stems. Flowers are often found in such colors as blue, violet, purple or white.

Page 2993 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

  Order your copy here