WESTERN BLUEBELLS 



Mertensia -paniculata (Aiton) Don 



We have seen bluebells but rarely in our Western travels. Unlike 

 its cousin, the Virginia bluebells, this plant is hairy, and the smaller, 

 less numerous flowers are much deeper in color. The plant inhabits 

 moist woodlands, where it often forms large clumps. Western blue- 

 bells belongs to the Borage Family, and is a relative of forget-me-not 

 and heliotrope. 



This species of bluebells ranges from Iowa to Washington and 

 Alaska, and extends eastward to Lake Superior and Hudson Bay. 



The specimen sketched was collected near Lake Minnewonka, 

 eleven miles from Banff, Alberta, Canada, at an altitude of 4,000 feet. 



PLATE I73 



