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Mertensia virginica
This native perennial plant is 1–2½' tall, branching occasionally. The central stem is round, hairless, and light green. The alternate leaves are up to 7" long and 3" across. They are light green or greyish green, hairless, with a soft floppy texture. The leaves are ovate-oval or ovate-oblong in shape, with smooth margins, and conspicuous pinnate venation. They usually taper to a winged petiole, although some of the upper leaves are sessile. Some of the upper stems terminate in nodding clusters of light blue flowers. These flowers are about ¾–1" long. The corolla of each flower is tubular, flaring outward toward the 5 shallow lobes like a trumpet. Within the corolla, are 5 white stamens with light brown anthers and a white style that is long and slender. The small greyish green calyx is divided into 5 blunt teeth. While in the bud stage, the flowers are a light purplish pink, but become light blue with maturity. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring, and lasts about 3 weeks. The ovary is divided into 4 lobes, which contain the nutlets. The root system consists of a taproot. This plant often forms colonies.
Woodland close to a creek.
Thank you! I was a few days too early for these but hopefully I will see some more when the buds start to break.
Thank you for the correction Anna!
I'm pleased this is a native plant & not an invasive species!
I don't agree with Calotropis which is a plant in the Asclepiadaceae and not native to North America.
Thanks Christy! I use a universal clip on macro converter, a Raynox 250. I actually bought it so I could get better pics of the spiders & bugs but I have found it works very well with with flowers too!
Karen, this is beautiful! Do you use a macro lens? Love the detail on the close one!