Boraginaceae
Borage Family
24 genera
81 species
15 subspecies and varieties
81 species
15 subspecies and varieties
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Index to genera:
Adelinia, Amsinckia, Anchusa, Asperugo, Borago, Buglossoides, Cryptantha, Cynoglossum, Echium, Eritrichium, Greeneocharis, Gruvelia, Hackelia, Lappula, Lithospermum, Lycopsis, Mertensia, Myosotis, Oreocarya, Pectocarya, Pentaglottis, Plagiobothrys, Pulmonaria, SymphytumAdelinia grandis – Adeline's hound's-tongue, Pacific hound's-tongue, grand hound
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; Washington to California.
Habitat: Forest openings and meadows at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-May
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; Washington to California.
Habitat: Forest openings and meadows at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-May
Amsinckia intermedia – fireweed fiddleneck, rancher's fiddleneck
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia south, both sides of the Cascades, to Baja California, Mexico, east to Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and west Texas.
Habitat: Balds, meadows, prairies, roadsides, and other open areas at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-May
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia south, both sides of the Cascades, to Baja California, Mexico, east to Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and west Texas.
Habitat: Balds, meadows, prairies, roadsides, and other open areas at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-May
Amsinckia lycopsoides – bugloss fiddleneck, tarweed fiddleneck
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Great Plains, also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, meadows, grassy slopes, ponderosa pine forest openings, and other open areas from sagebrush desert into the mountains, often associated with some type of disturbance .
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Great Plains, also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, meadows, grassy slopes, ponderosa pine forest openings, and other open areas from sagebrush desert into the mountains, often associated with some type of disturbance .
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: annual
Amsinckia menziesii – harvest fiddleneck, rigid fiddleneck, rancher's fireweed
Distribution: Chiefly east of the Cascades in Washington; Washington south to California.
Habitat: Open, dry foothills.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Chiefly east of the Cascades in Washington; Washington south to California.
Habitat: Open, dry foothills.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: annual
Amsinckia retrorsa – harvest fiddleneck, rigid fiddleneck
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Idaho and Utah.
Habitat: Relatively dry and open areas at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Idaho and Utah.
Habitat: Relatively dry and open areas at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Amsinckia spectabilis – seaside amsinckia
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia south to California.
Habitat: Coastal dunes or sandy bluffs.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia south to California.
Habitat: Coastal dunes or sandy bluffs.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
• var. spectabilis – woolly breeches, Scouler's fiddleneck, seaside fiddleneck
Amsinckia tessellata – tessellate fiddleneck
Distribution: Chiefly east of the Cascades in Washington; British Columbia south to California, east to Idaho, south to New Mexico.
Habitat: Roadsides and dry, open slopes and flats, often in disturbed soil.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Chiefly east of the Cascades in Washington; British Columbia south to California, east to Idaho, south to New Mexico.
Habitat: Roadsides and dry, open slopes and flats, often in disturbed soil.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: annual
• var. tessellata – tessellate fiddleneck
Anchusa azurea – Italian alkanet, Italian bugloss
Distribution: Scattered localities in Washington; British Columbia south to California, scattered localities east of the Cascades to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Disturbed soil.
Origin: Introduced from Old World
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Scattered localities in Washington; British Columbia south to California, scattered localities east of the Cascades to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Disturbed soil.
Origin: Introduced from Old World
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: perennial
Anchusa officinalis – common alkanet, common bugloss
Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains, also from the Great Lakes region to northeastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, ditches, wastelots, and other disturbed, open areas at low elevations.
Origin: Introduced from Mediterranean region
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: biennial, perennial
Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains, also from the Great Lakes region to northeastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, ditches, wastelots, and other disturbed, open areas at low elevations.
Origin: Introduced from Mediterranean region
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: biennial, perennial
Asperugo procumbens – catchweed, madwort
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Great Plains, also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, irrigation ditches, and other disturbed open areas where moist.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Great Plains, also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, irrigation ditches, and other disturbed open areas where moist.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
Borago officinalis – borage, common borage
Distribution: Introduced at scattered locations in the United States; occasional west of the Cascades in the Pacific Northwest.
Habitat: Waste ground and disturbed soil.
Origin: Introduced from southern Europe
Flowers: April - June
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Introduced at scattered locations in the United States; occasional west of the Cascades in the Pacific Northwest.
Habitat: Waste ground and disturbed soil.
Origin: Introduced from southern Europe
Flowers: April - June
Growth Duration: annual
Buglossoides arvensis – corn gromwell, field gromwell
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across much of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, and other dry, open, often disturbed sites in sagebrush desert to ponderosa pine forest openings.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across much of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, and other dry, open, often disturbed sites in sagebrush desert to ponderosa pine forest openings.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: annual
Cryptantha affinis – quill cat's-eye, common cryptantha, slender cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains and South Dakota.
Habitat: Open areas from sagebrush to coniferous forest openings at moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-July
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains and South Dakota.
Habitat: Open areas from sagebrush to coniferous forest openings at moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-July
Growth Duration: annual
Cryptantha ambigua – basin cat's-eye, obscure cryptantha, wilke's cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to western Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.
Habitat: Dry, open places from the lowlands to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-July
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to western Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.
Habitat: Dry, open places from the lowlands to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-July
Growth Duration: annual
Cryptantha fendleri – sand dune cat's eye, Fendler's cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; central Washington to California, east to the Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains.
Habitat: Sand dunes and very sandy soil at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; central Washington to California, east to the Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains.
Habitat: Sand dunes and very sandy soil at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
Cryptantha flaccida – weakstem cat's-eye, flaccid cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; central Washington to southern California, east to Idaho, Nevada, and Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes and flats at lower elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; central Washington to southern California, east to Idaho, Nevada, and Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes and flats at lower elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: annual
Cryptantha gracilis – narrow-stem cryptantha, slender cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California east to Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert and grassy slopes at low elevations to ponderosa pine forest openings at middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California east to Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert and grassy slopes at low elevations to ponderosa pine forest openings at middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Cryptantha grandiflora – large-flowered cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in southeastern Washington; southeastern Washington to northeastern Oregon, east to Salmon River area in western Idaho.
Habitat: Grasslands, open conifer forest, scree slopes, and volcanic-based substrates.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in southeastern Washington; southeastern Washington to northeastern Oregon, east to Salmon River area in western Idaho.
Habitat: Grasslands, open conifer forest, scree slopes, and volcanic-based substrates.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Cryptantha intermedia – Clearwater cat's-eye, common cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest and east in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; Washington to California, east to western Idaho and northwestern Nevada.
Habitat: Forest openings, open slopes, and remnant balds at low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-September
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest and east in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; Washington to California, east to western Idaho and northwestern Nevada.
Habitat: Forest openings, open slopes, and remnant balds at low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-September
Growth Duration: annual
• var. hendersonii – Henderson's common cryptantha
Cryptantha pterocarya – wingnut cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, east to Idaho, Colorado and Texas.
Habitat: Dry, open, often sandy areas of sagebrush and grasslands.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, east to Idaho, Colorado and Texas.
Habitat: Dry, open, often sandy areas of sagebrush and grasslands.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: annual
• var. pterocarya – wingnut cryptantha
Cryptantha rostellata – beaked cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; central Washington to California.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert, open slopes and hillsides, typically where dry, at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; central Washington to California.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert, open slopes and hillsides, typically where dry, at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Cryptantha scoparia – desert cryptantha, pinyon desert cat's eye
Distribution: Common on the Snake River plains of Idaho, extending into adjacent Oregon, northeast Nevda and southwest Wyoming; adjunct to Yakima County, Washington, and adjacent counties.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes in the valleys, plains and foothills, common among sagebrush.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - July
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Common on the Snake River plains of Idaho, extending into adjacent Oregon, northeast Nevda and southwest Wyoming; adjunct to Yakima County, Washington, and adjacent counties.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes in the valleys, plains and foothills, common among sagebrush.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - July
Growth Duration: annual
Cryptantha simulans – pine woods cat's eye, pine woods cryptantha
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, east to Idaho and Nevada.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert and ponderosa pine forest openings, often where disturbed.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, east to Idaho and Nevada.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert and ponderosa pine forest openings, often where disturbed.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
Cryptantha torreyana – Torrey's cryptantha, Torrey's cat's eye
Distribution: Widely distributed east of the Cascades in Washington; British Columbia to Oregon, east to Montana.
Habitat: Open areas, low to mid-elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Widely distributed east of the Cascades in Washington; British Columbia to Oregon, east to Montana.
Habitat: Open areas, low to mid-elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
Cryptantha watsonii – Watson's cryptantha, Watson's cat's eye
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia south to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Open hillsides, sagebrush-steppe plains, and forest openings at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia south to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Open hillsides, sagebrush-steppe plains, and forest openings at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: annual
Cynoglossum officinale – gypsy flower, common hound's tongue
Distribution: Widely distributed east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, meadows, forest edge, ditches, and other disturbed open areas; noxious weed.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: biennial
Distribution: Widely distributed east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east across North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, meadows, forest edge, ditches, and other disturbed open areas; noxious weed.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: biennial
Echium vulgare – common viper's bugloss
Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east across most of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, ditches, wastelots, and other disturbed open areas.
Origin: Introduced from Mediterranean region
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: annual, biennial, perennial
Distribution: Occurring in scattered locations on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east across most of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Roadsides, fields, ditches, wastelots, and other disturbed open areas.
Origin: Introduced from Mediterranean region
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: annual, biennial, perennial
Eritrichium argenteum
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington, where known only from Chelan County. Washington to Oregon, east to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Habitat: Coarse, rocky soils of alpine slopes and summits.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington, where known only from Chelan County. Washington to Oregon, east to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Habitat: Coarse, rocky soils of alpine slopes and summits.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: perennial
Greeneocharis circumscissa – cushion cryptantha, matted cryptantha
Distribution: Chiefly east of the Cascades, central Washington to Baja California, east to Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open, usually sandy places in the lowlands.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April - July
Distribution: Chiefly east of the Cascades, central Washington to Baja California, east to Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open, usually sandy places in the lowlands.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April - July
Gruvelia pusilla – little gruvelia
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, introduced and disjunct in Chile.
Habitat: Dry, open places at lower elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington to California, introduced and disjunct in Chile.
Habitat: Dry, open places at lower elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: annual
Hackelia ciliata – Okanogan stickseed
Distribution: Spokane and Stevens Counties to Okanogan and Kittitas Counties, Washington
Habitat: Dry, open slopes and flats in areas with sagebrush or ponderosa pine.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - June
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Spokane and Stevens Counties to Okanogan and Kittitas Counties, Washington
Habitat: Dry, open slopes and flats in areas with sagebrush or ponderosa pine.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - June
Growth Duration: perennial
Hackelia cinerea – gray stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in central and eastern Washington; central Washington to Idaho and Montana.
Habitat: Open or lightly forested areas, especially on talus or cliffs, and loose stream banks, in valleys and foothills to moderate elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in central and eastern Washington; central Washington to Idaho and Montana.
Habitat: Open or lightly forested areas, especially on talus or cliffs, and loose stream banks, in valleys and foothills to moderate elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: perennial
Hackelia diffusa – diffuse stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades in Washington; British Columbia south to Oregon.
Habitat: Cliffs and talus slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades in Washington; British Columbia south to Oregon.
Habitat: Cliffs and talus slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: perennial
• var. arida – sagebrush stickseed, steppe stickseed
• var. cottonii – Cotton's stickseed
• var. diffusa – diffuse stickseed
Hackelia floribunda – manyflowered stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Southern British Columbia south to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Thickets, meadows, stream banks and other moist places, from low elevations to mid-elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: biennial, perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Southern British Columbia south to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Thickets, meadows, stream banks and other moist places, from low elevations to mid-elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: biennial, perennial
Hackelia hispida – rough stickseed
Distribution: Snake River Canyon and vicinity in Oregon, Idaho and Washington; also in the Grand Coulee of Washington.
Habitat: Cliffs and talus slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - July
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Snake River Canyon and vicinity in Oregon, Idaho and Washington; also in the Grand Coulee of Washington.
Habitat: Cliffs and talus slopes.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - July
Growth Duration: perennial
• var. disjuncta – sagebrush stickseed
• var. hispida – rough stickseed
Hackelia micrantha – meadow forget-me-not, blue stickseed
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Moist, open hillsides seasonally wet forest openings, and riparian corridors from montane to subalpine.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Moist, open hillsides seasonally wet forest openings, and riparian corridors from montane to subalpine.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: perennial
Hackelia venusta – lesser showy stickseed
Distribution: Endemic to Chelan County, WA.
Habitat: Rocky slopes with ponderosa pine, at about 1000 feet elevation.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Endemic to Chelan County, WA.
Habitat: Rocky slopes with ponderosa pine, at about 1000 feet elevation.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: perennial
Lappula longispina – long-spined stickseed
Distribution: East of the Cascades in the Pacific Northwest; Eurasia.
Habitat: A weed in dry, disturbed places, along roadsides and on overgrazed ranges.
Origin: Introduced
Flowers: May - July
Distribution: East of the Cascades in the Pacific Northwest; Eurasia.
Habitat: A weed in dry, disturbed places, along roadsides and on overgrazed ranges.
Origin: Introduced
Flowers: May - July
Lappula montana – montane stickseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the crest in north-central Washington; central British Columbia to north-central Washington, east to Montana.
Habitat: Dry meadows and forest openings from low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Distribution: Occurring east of the crest in north-central Washington; central British Columbia to north-central Washington, east to Montana.
Habitat: Dry meadows and forest openings from low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Lappula squarrosa – bristly sheepburr, bristly stickseed, common stickseed, European stickseed, bristly-fruited tickweed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; widely distributed throughout much of North America; Eurasia.
Habitat: Shrub-steppe, disturbed areas, roadside.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia, possibly native in northern Rocky Mts. (Cronquist et al. 1984)
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: annual, biennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; widely distributed throughout much of North America; Eurasia.
Habitat: Shrub-steppe, disturbed areas, roadside.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia, possibly native in northern Rocky Mts. (Cronquist et al. 1984)
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: annual, biennial
Lithospermum ruderale – western gromwell, Columbian puccoon, western stoneseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to the Sasketchewan and the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert to ponderosa pine forest openings, from low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to the Sasketchewan and the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Sagebrush desert to ponderosa pine forest openings, from low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: perennial
Mertensia amoena – beautiful bluebells, sagebrush bluebells
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in central Washington; central Washington to Montana, south to Wyoming and Utah.
Habitat: Seasonally moist slopes and rocky areas in sagebrush desert.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in central Washington; central Washington to Montana, south to Wyoming and Utah.
Habitat: Seasonally moist slopes and rocky areas in sagebrush desert.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Mertensia ciliata – streamside bluebells
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington south to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Stream banks, wet meadows, damp thickets, and wet cliffs, from the foothills to high elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington south to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
Habitat: Stream banks, wet meadows, damp thickets, and wet cliffs, from the foothills to high elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: perennial
Mertensia longiflora – long-flowered bluebells, trumpet bluebells, long-flowered lungwort
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Montana and Nevada.
Habitat: Drier areas from low elevation sagebrush deserts to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia to California, east to Montana and Nevada.
Habitat: Drier areas from low elevation sagebrush deserts to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: perennial
Mertensia oblongifolia – languid lady, leafy lungwort
Distribution: Uncommon east of the Cascades in Washington to California, east to South Dakota
Habitat: Deeper soils in shrub-steppe
Origin: Native
Flowers: June - August
Growth Duration: annual, perennial
Distribution: Uncommon east of the Cascades in Washington to California, east to South Dakota
Habitat: Deeper soils in shrub-steppe
Origin: Native
Flowers: June - August
Growth Duration: annual, perennial
Mertensia paniculata – paniculate bluebells, tall bluebells
Distribution: Alaska to Oregon, east to Montana; also in the Great Lakes region
Habitat: Streambanks and wet meadows at mid-elevations in the mountains
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - August
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Alaska to Oregon, east to Montana; also in the Great Lakes region
Habitat: Streambanks and wet meadows at mid-elevations in the mountains
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - August
Growth Duration: perennial
• var. borealis – tall lungwort
• var. paniculata – panicled lungwort
Mertensia platyphylla – broadleaved bluebells, western bluebells
Distribution: Occurring from the west base of the Cascades Mountains to the coast in Washington; Washington south to Oregon.
Habitat: Stream banks and moist, low woods at lower elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Occurring from the west base of the Cascades Mountains to the coast in Washington; Washington south to Oregon.
Habitat: Stream banks and moist, low woods at lower elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: perennial
Mertensia umbratilis – shade bluebells, shade lungwort
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington south to Oregon.
Habitat: Forest openings and seasonally moist areas at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-May
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington south to Oregon.
Habitat: Forest openings and seasonally moist areas at low to middle elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-May
Growth Duration: perennial
Myosotis arvensis – mouse ear, rough forget-me-not, field scorpiongrass
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia south to Oregon, east across the northern half of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, wastelots, and forest openings, typically associated with disturbance.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia south to Oregon, east across the northern half of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, wastelots, and forest openings, typically associated with disturbance.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
Myosotis discolor – yellow and blue scorpiongrass, yellow scorpiongrass
Distribution: Introduced in Washington to California, east to Montana, and along the East Coast
Habitat: Roadsides, dry to moist open areas
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: May - August
Growth Duration: annual, perennial
Distribution: Introduced in Washington to California, east to Montana, and along the East Coast
Habitat: Roadsides, dry to moist open areas
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: May - August
Growth Duration: annual, perennial
Myosotis laxa – bay forget-me-not, small forget-me-not
Distribution: Widely distributed on both sides of the Cascades in Washington; British Colombia and Alberta south to California, east to the Rocky Mountains; also in the eastern half of North America.
Habitat: In moist soil and shallow water, at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-September
Growth Duration: annual, biennial, perennial
Distribution: Widely distributed on both sides of the Cascades in Washington; British Colombia and Alberta south to California, east to the Rocky Mountains; also in the eastern half of North America.
Habitat: In moist soil and shallow water, at low to moderate elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: June-September
Growth Duration: annual, biennial, perennial
Myosotis ramosissima – early forget-me-not
Distribution: Occurring in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Balds, prairies, grassy embankments, roadsides, and other disturbed open places at low elevations.
Origin: Introduced from Europe and Mediterranean region
Flowers: March-May
Distribution: Occurring in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; also in eastern North America.
Habitat: Balds, prairies, grassy embankments, roadsides, and other disturbed open places at low elevations.
Origin: Introduced from Europe and Mediterranean region
Flowers: March-May
Myosotis scorpioides – common forget-me-not, true forget-me-not, water forget-me-not
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east across most of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Wet areas from low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east across most of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Wet areas from low to middle elevations in the mountains.
Origin: Introduced from Eurasia
Flowers: June-August
Growth Duration: perennial
Myosotis sylvatica – wood forget-me-not
Distribution: Introduced in western Washington and some mid-West and Eastern states
Habitat: Roadsides and moist woods at low elevations
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: June - August
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Introduced in western Washington and some mid-West and Eastern states
Habitat: Roadsides and moist woods at low elevations
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: June - August
Growth Duration: perennial
Myosotis verna – spring forget-me-not, early scorpiongrass, spring scorpiongrass, white scorpiongrass
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - July
Growth Duration: annual, biennial
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - July
Growth Duration: annual, biennial
Oreocarya glomerata – buttecandle, cockscomb oreocarya, Sheldon's oreocarya
Distribution: Chiefly east of the Cascades, from southern British Colombia to Grant County, Oregon, east to North Dakota.
Habitat: Dry, open places in the valleys, plains and foothills, occasionally higher.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April - July
Distribution: Chiefly east of the Cascades, from southern British Colombia to Grant County, Oregon, east to North Dakota.
Habitat: Dry, open places in the valleys, plains and foothills, occasionally higher.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April - July
Oreocarya leucophaea – gray cat's eye
Distribution: Along the Columbia and lower Yakima rivers, from Wenatchee, Washington to the Dalles, Oregon.
Habitat: Dry, usually sandy places at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - June
Distribution: Along the Columbia and lower Yakima rivers, from Wenatchee, Washington to the Dalles, Oregon.
Habitat: Dry, usually sandy places at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - June
Oreocarya spiculifera – Snake River cryptantha, Snake River cat's eye
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington south to Oregon and Nevada, east to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes and flats in the plains, valleys and foothills.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington south to Oregon and Nevada, east to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open slopes and flats in the plains, valleys and foothills.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Oreocarya thompsonii – Thompson's cat's eye
Distribution: Serpentine soils in the Wenatchee Mountains and adjacent Cascades of Washington
Habitat: Moderate to mid-elevations in the mountains
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - July
Distribution: Serpentine soils in the Wenatchee Mountains and adjacent Cascades of Washington
Habitat: Moderate to mid-elevations in the mountains
Origin: Native
Flowers: May - July
Pectocarya penicillata – shortleaf combseed, winged pectocarya
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Baja California, east to Idaho and Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open areas, often in sandy soil and among sagebrush, at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Baja California, east to Idaho and Utah.
Habitat: Dry, open areas, often in sandy soil and among sagebrush, at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: annual
Pectocarya setosa – bristly combseed
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington south to California, east to Idaho, Utah, and New Mexico.
Habitat: Open areas in sagebrush-steppe habitat.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington south to California, east to Idaho, Utah, and New Mexico.
Habitat: Open areas in sagebrush-steppe habitat.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-June
Growth Duration: annual
Pentaglottis sempervirens – green alkanet
Distribution: Occurring in lowland western Washington; British Columbia south to California.
Habitat: Disturbed soil in shaded areas.
Origin: Introduced from sw Europe
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Occurring in lowland western Washington; British Columbia south to California.
Habitat: Disturbed soil in shaded areas.
Origin: Introduced from sw Europe
Flowers: April-July
Growth Duration: perennial
Plagiobothrys figuratus – fragrant plagiobothrys
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; British Columbia south to Oregon.
Habitat: Nonalkaline meadows, low ground, and moist fields.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades and in the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; British Columbia south to Oregon.
Habitat: Nonalkaline meadows, low ground, and moist fields.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-July
Growth Duration: annual
Plagiobothrys leptocladus – alkali popcorn flower, slender branched popcorn flower
Distribution: East of the Cascades in Oregon, south to Baja California, east to northern Utah and the Snake River plains in Idaho.
Habitat: Moist clay flats and beds of drying pools; tolerant of alkali.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April - July
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: East of the Cascades in Oregon, south to Baja California, east to northern Utah and the Snake River plains in Idaho.
Habitat: Moist clay flats and beds of drying pools; tolerant of alkali.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April - July
Growth Duration: annual
Plagiobothrys nothofulvus – rusty popcorn flower
Distribution: Common in the east end of the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; Oregon south to northern Baja California and east to Nevada.
Habitat: Open slopes, fields and roadsides.
Origin: Native
Flowers: March-May
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Common in the east end of the Columbia River Gorge in Washington; Oregon south to northern Baja California and east to Nevada.
Habitat: Open slopes, fields and roadsides.
Origin: Native
Flowers: March-May
Growth Duration: annual
Plagiobothrys scouleri – Scouler's popcorn flower
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska south to California, east to Wisconsin and New Mexico.
Habitat: Moist areas, foothills to mid-elevations in the mountains, seldom in alkaline areas.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska south to California, east to Wisconsin and New Mexico.
Habitat: Moist areas, foothills to mid-elevations in the mountains, seldom in alkaline areas.
Origin: Native
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: annual
Plagiobothrys tenellus – Pacific popcorn flower, slender popcorn flower
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Baja California, east to Idaho and Nevada.
Habitat: Dry, open places at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: annual
Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades crest in Washington; southern British Columbia to Baja California, east to Idaho and Nevada.
Habitat: Dry, open places at low elevations.
Origin: Native
Flowers: April-June
Growth Duration: annual
Symphytum asperum – prickly comfrey, rough comfrey
Distribution: Introduced and occasionally escaped from cultivation, scattered in the United States; chiefly west of the Cascades in Washington.
Habitat: Roadsides and other disturbed habitats.
Origin: Introduced from sw Asia
Flowers: May - July
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Introduced and occasionally escaped from cultivation, scattered in the United States; chiefly west of the Cascades in Washington.
Habitat: Roadsides and other disturbed habitats.
Origin: Introduced from sw Asia
Flowers: May - July
Growth Duration: perennial
Symphytum officinale – common comfrey
Distribution: Distributed west of the Cascades in Washington; widely distributed throughout North America except in extreme north and south states/provinces.
Habitat: Escaped from cultivation, often found in disturbed areas.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: perennial
Distribution: Distributed west of the Cascades in Washington; widely distributed throughout North America except in extreme north and south states/provinces.
Habitat: Escaped from cultivation, often found in disturbed areas.
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Flowers: May-August
Growth Duration: perennial
