Page 28 - A Field Guide to Fairfax County's Plants and Wildlife
P. 28
ginia Bluebell
(Mertensia virginica)
Description
This perennial plant is
a spring ephemeral.
Ephemeral means lasting a
very short time. Bluebells
appear in March, bloom
in April, and disappear
by early summer. They
reappear the next spring.
Growing to a height of
45 to 60 centimeters, the
arching stems produce
clusters of pink buds that
mature into blue bell-
shaped flowers. Leaves are alternate, smooth and oval shaped. When the
leaves first start appearing in early spring they are deep purple in color, but
soon turn green. Plants reproduce by seed and rhizomes and often form
large patches.
As the name suggests, Virginia Distribution and Habitat
Bluebell blooms are blue. However,
the flower buds are pink in color. Bluebells thrive in partial to full
This color change is due to an shade along streambanks and in
increase in pH of the plant’s sap. moist woodlands. They are found
As the sap becomes less acidic the throughout Virginia except in the
flowers turn blue. Coastal Plain province.
In April, many Virginia Bluebells Role in Food Web
grow along the banks of Cub Run
and Bull Run. Many visitors come to Honeybees, bumblebees,
Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville butterflies, moths and hummingbirds
to enjoy their beauty. feed on Virginia Bluebells.
r 24 r
(Mertensia virginica)
Description
This perennial plant is
a spring ephemeral.
Ephemeral means lasting a
very short time. Bluebells
appear in March, bloom
in April, and disappear
by early summer. They
reappear the next spring.
Growing to a height of
45 to 60 centimeters, the
arching stems produce
clusters of pink buds that
mature into blue bell-
shaped flowers. Leaves are alternate, smooth and oval shaped. When the
leaves first start appearing in early spring they are deep purple in color, but
soon turn green. Plants reproduce by seed and rhizomes and often form
large patches.
As the name suggests, Virginia Distribution and Habitat
Bluebell blooms are blue. However,
the flower buds are pink in color. Bluebells thrive in partial to full
This color change is due to an shade along streambanks and in
increase in pH of the plant’s sap. moist woodlands. They are found
As the sap becomes less acidic the throughout Virginia except in the
flowers turn blue. Coastal Plain province.
In April, many Virginia Bluebells Role in Food Web
grow along the banks of Cub Run
and Bull Run. Many visitors come to Honeybees, bumblebees,
Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville butterflies, moths and hummingbirds
to enjoy their beauty. feed on Virginia Bluebells.
r 24 r
