It is easy to see why Virginia Bluebells is a favorite woodland wildflower. The pastel colors of the flowers and foliage are soft and soothing. Some plants produce mature flowers that are white or pink. There are other Mertensia spp. in the United States with a similar appearance, but they occur north or west of Illinois. They have smaller flowers and pubescent foliage.

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.

Mertensia virginica (L.) Pers. ex Link:
Canada (North America)
United States (North America)

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Virginia Bluebells is a fairly common plant that occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include wet to mesic woodlands, especially in semi-shaded floodplain areas along rivers, bluffs, and flower gardens.

Virginia Bluebells is a fairly common plant that occurs in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map). Habitats include wet to mesic woodlands, especially in semi-shaded floodplain areas along rivers, bluffs, and flower gardens.

Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells)
(Hummingbirds & most insects suck nectar; some bees collect pollen as indicated below; some flies feed on pollen as indicated below; all observations are from Robertson)

Birds
Trochilidae: Archilochus colubris sn

Bees (long-tongued)
Apidae (Apinae): Apis mellifera cp; Apidae (Bombini): Bombus auricomus sn, Bombus bimaculatus sn, Bombus griseocallis sn, Bombus pensylvanica sn fq, Bombus vagans sn; Anthophoridae (Anthophorini): Anthophora abrupta sn, Anthophora ursina sn fq; Anthophoridae (Eucerini): Synhalonia belfragii sn cp fq, Synhalonia dubitata sn fq, Synhalonia speciosa sn fq icp; Anthophoridae (Nomadini): Nomada dentariae sn; Megachilidae (Osmiini): Osmia atriventris sn cp, Osmia lignaria lignaria sn, Osmia pumila sn cp

Bees (short-tongued)
Halictidae (Halictinae): Augochlorella striata sn np, Lasioglossum versatus sn np

Flies
Syrphidae: Rhingia nasica sn fp, Teuchocnemis lituratus fp np; Bombyliidae: Bombylius major sn

Butterflies
Nymphalidae: Danaus plexippus sn, Vanessa atalanta sn; Papilionidae: Papilio troilus sn

Skippers
Hesperiidae: Erynnis juvenalis sn

Moths
Sphingidae: Hemaris thysbe sn, Hyles lineata sn

The flowers are pollinated by long-tongued bees primarily, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorid bees, Mason bees, large Leaf-Cutting bees, and Miner bees; these insects seek nectar and collect pollen. Other visitors of the flowers include hummingbirds, bee flies, butterflies, skippers, and Sphinx moths, including hummingbird moths. This group of visitors seek nectar from the flowers. Small flower flies may also visit the flowers, however they feed on the pollen and are not effective pollinators.

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 2
Species: 2
Species With Barcodes: 1

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N3 - Vulnerable

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

The preference is light shade to partial sun in moist wooded areas with rich soil. The foliage dies down by mid-summer.