Taxon Details

Mertensia longiflora

long bluebells

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Taxon Summary:

Mertensia longiflora, commonly known as long bluebells, is a perennial herb in the Boraginaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Great Basin scrub, and Lower montane coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 1525 to 2200 meters. Mertensia longiflora is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification

Scientific Name: Mertensia longiflora Greene
Common Name: long bluebells
Family:	Boraginaceae
Element Code:	PDBOR0N0D0
USDA Plants Symbol:	MELO4
Synonyms/Other Names:
Name Status:	JEF, FNA, POWO, IPNI, Tropicos

Conservation Status

CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.2
Fed List:	None
State List:	None
Global Rank:	G4?
State Rank:	S2
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
Add Date:	2001-01-01
Date Edited:	2025-06-03

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb

Blooming Period: Apr-Jun

Elevation:
1525 - 2200 meters
5005 - 7220 feet

General Habitats:

Great Basin scrub
Lower montane coniferous forest

Microhabitat Details:

Microhabitat:

Notes

Notes:
Threats: Threatened by grazing.
Taxonomy:

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

THREAT LIST:
Threat List Total:	2
	Total EOs	% of EOs
EOs with Threat Listed:	2	18 %
Logging	2	18%
Grazing	1	9%

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Element Occurrence Ranks:
Total Occurrences:					11
A	B	C	D	X	U
2	0	0	0	0	9

Occurrence Status:
Historical >20 Years	11
Recent <=20 Years	0

Presence:
Presumed Extant	11
Possibly Extirpated	0
Presumed Extirpated	0

Location

California Endemic:

California Island:

States: Name (Code)
California (CA), Idaho (ID), Montana (MT), Nevada (NV), Oregon (OR), Washington (WA)

California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Lassen (LAS), Modoc (MOD)

Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Barrel Springs (4111988), Cedarville (4112052), Fort Bidwell (4112072), Halls Canyon (4112131), Jess Valley (4112023), Johnstonville (4012045), Lake Annie (4112081), McGinty Reservoir (4112075), Payne Peak (4112053), Shields Creek (4112043), Soup Creek (4112033), Tunnison Mtn. (4012055), Weed Valley (4112087)

Notes:

Definitions of codes following a county and/or quad:
*		Presumed extirpated
(?)		Occurrence confirmed, but possibly extirpated
Quad and county data is imported from the CNDDB. Species may be present in other areas where conditions are favorable. These data should NOT be substituted for pre-project review or for on-site surveys.

Regional Map

Map

Presumed Extant

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Original Description:	Pittonia 3:261 (1898)
Species Account:	Mertensia longiflora profile for potential Species of Conservation Concern evaluation (2018)

CNPS Rare Plant Inventory