''Mertensia lanceolata'', known as prairie bluebells, narrow-leaved languid lady, lance-leaved bluebells, and lance-leaved lungwort is a species of

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

native to western North America. A

herbaceous Herbaceous plants are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. This broad category of plants includes many perennials, and nearly all annuals and biennials. Definitions of "herb" and "herbaceous" The fourth edition of t ...

perennial it has blue-green leaves alternately arranged on its smooth flowering stalk. Its flower buds are pink-purple and become more blue as they open. Accepted varieties include: *''Mertensia lanceolata'' var. ''coriacea'' (A.Nelson) L.C.Higgins & S.L.Welsh *''Mertensia lanceolata'' var. ''lanceolata'' *''Mertensia lanceolata'' var. ''secundorum'' (Cockerell) Cockerell

Description

''Mertensia lanceolata'' is a variable species with flowering individuals typically growing 20-35 cm in height. The species is found in Rocky Mountain habitats from the plains to alpine habitats. The leaves are blue-green due to the waxy coating with a prominent center vein. Immature plants will have a few distinctly

lanceolate The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular o ...

leaves arising from the ground on short stalks while plants mature enough to flower will typically have narrower leaves attached alternately attached to the flower stalk. The leaves or flower stalks arise from the large taproot. Flowering stalks lean outwards at an angle with multiple flowers hanging downwards from the top of the stalk. The flowers are five fused petals forming a short trumpet.

References

lanceolata Flora of North America {{Asterid-stub Flora of Alberta Flora of Colorado Flora of Manitoba Flora of Montana Flora of Nebraska Flora of Saskatchewan Flora of South Dakota Flora of New Mexico Flora of North Dakota Flora of Utah Flora of Wyoming Species described in 1846