Beautiful bluebells (Mertensia bella)

Family: Boraginaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Mertensia bella is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Flowers - raw. Leaves - raw or cooked. The leaves are rather hairy and are not so nice when eaten raw. — Leaves - raw or cooked.; The leaves are rather hairy and are not so nice when eaten raw.

Habitat & North American Range

Wet meadows, moist slopes and springy banks at mid-altitudes in mountains. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)