Bluebells

Images

Click on image to view full size

Bluebells flowers

Bluebells

Bluebells leaf

Bluebells

Bluebells

Bluebells inflorescence

Bluebells

Morphology

Stem

Erect or ascending, 1-several, usually unbranched or occasionally few-branched below inflorescence, glabrous, glaucous.

Leaves

Basal and alternate on stem; basal and lower stem leaves long-stalked; stalks to 3+ inches, narrowly winged; upper stem leaves reduced, sessile; blades broadly egg-shaped to elliptic or spoon-shaped, 2 to 8+ inches long, .6 to 5.2 inches wide, thin, pinnately veined, glabrous; undersurface often glaucous; tip rounded or blunt.

Inflorescence

Cymes, compact, terminal, flowers often drooping.

Flower

Stalks 1/12 to 1/5 inch long; calyx 5-lobed, to 2/5 inch long, divided halfway to base, greenish-purple, glabrous; calyx lobes lanceolate to oblong-ovate; corolla salverform, .75 to 1.6 inch long, shallowly 5-lobed, blue, pinkish in bud; stamens 5.

Fruit

Nutlets 4, angular egg-shaped, 1/8 to 1/6 inch long, dull to dark brown, wrinkled.

Ecology

Habitat

Moist woodland clearings, stream and river banks, bottomland woods, bases and ledges of bluffs; shade or partial shade; rich, moist, sometimes rocky soils.

Distribution

Eastern edge of Kansas

Practical Information

Uses

Native Americans stepped the roots and took the liquid as an antidote for poisoning and to treat venereal disease. Bluebells were also used medicinally in treatments of whooping cough and tuberculosis.

Additional Notes