Virginia Bluebells

Scientific name: Mertensia virginica
Common Name: Virginia Bluebells
Plant Family: Boraginaceae (borage or forget-me-not flowers)

Etymology: The genus honors bremen professor of botany, Franz Carl Mertens (1764-1831)

Traditional Uses

• The Cherokee and Iroquois used the plant medicinally; pulmonary,  tuberculosis, and venereal purposes. (4)

Edible Parts

• Leaves may be eaten in small quantities and are notable for their astringent taste (5)
• Plants in the borage family are typically good as tea

Gathering and Using

• It is important to note that the hairs on M. virginica can cause dermatitis for some people, and also contains small amounts of poisonous alkaloids which can become toxic if consumed in large quantities.
• The plants are very delicate, so it should also be noted that they will wilt quickly after harvesting
• The leaves and stems may be harvested at the petiole (stem) and eaten
• Steaming for sautéing the leaves can cut some of the bitterness (7)

Permaculture Functions and Considerations 

M. virginica are important medicinal plants and can be consumed in small quantities. Additionally, the species provide an important food source for native bumble bees, especially queens, as they are early-spring-blooming wildflowers.

Habitat

Virginia Bluebells can be found in mountainous areas, often in woods or floodplains. In Maryland they are typically found in Piedmont and the western shore.

How to Identify

M. virginica grows in clumps of delicate individuals typically 1-2’ tall with a spread of 1-1.5’. When in bloom, the trumpet, or rather bell-shaped flowers are pink when emerging from bud, and eventually turn blue. Bluebells will flower in early spring, late march to early May in Maryland.

Wildlife Support

M. virginica are a critical source of food for native bumble bees and their queens (6), and provide cover for small wildlife in the early and mid-spring time (1).

Additional Information

M. virginica typically dies back after the blooming period, whereafter the plant goes dormant, and is best propagated from seed or division of established plants. It prefers part shade to full shade and medium, well-drained soils which are moist and rich. M. virginica does not have any serious disease or pest problems, and is best overplanted to compensate for the short growth period.

Sources

1. Maryland Biodiversity
2. Missouri Botanical Garden
3. Monticello
4. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in medicinal plants from North America
5. Elpel, Thomas J. Botany in a Day. Pony, MT, Hollowtop Outdoor Primitive School, 1998. 
6. https://eds.s.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=0&sid=3945417a-3e63-4106-9fdf-9d31c1178bcc%40redis
7. Forager Chef