Family

Borage.

Colour

Light blue.

Odour

Scentless.

Range

New York southward and westward.

Time of Bloom

Aprils May.

Flowers: hanging from slender pedicels in a raceme-like cluster. Calyx: small; five-cleft. Corolla: tubular; salver-shaped; the lobes scarcely divided. Stamens: five. Pistil: one. Leaves: large; obovate. Stem: smooth.

The Mertensia Virginica has quite the air of belonging to one of the first families. Its colour is so pure and its form so perfect that it is ever a delight to the eye of the artist. By its droop ing poise it cleverly protects its pollen from the rain and dew.