Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Colombia 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.

Flowers: June-September

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Annual, Biennial, Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Bees, flies

Slender, weak annual or short-lived perennial from fibrous roots, the stems 1-4 dm. tall, often curved at the base.

Leaves 1.5-8 cm. long and 3-15 mm. wide, the lowermost oblanceolate, the others oblong to lanceolate.

Inflorescence of 2 or 3 racemes terminating each branch, naked and open; pedicels spreading, 3-5 mm. long; calyx 3-5 mm. long, closely appressed-pubescent, the 5 lobes about equal to the tube; corolla tube narrow, the 5 lobes abruptly spreading, the limb 2-5 mm. wide, blue; hairy appendages opposite the corolla lobes at the top of the tube; style shorter than the nutlets.

Nutlets 4, attached near the base, blackish, smooth and shining.