Over the past two decades, this charming little plant has grown ambitious. It began as a rare occurrence; now it is a common and nearly ubiquitous weed. Father Pitt does not pretend to explain the phenomenon; he merely observes it. These plants were blooming in the Kane Woods Nature Area in Scott Township.
For a description of the species, see the Myosotis laxa reference page.
Virginia Bluebells blooming by Saw Mill Run in Seldom Seen.
For a description of the species, see the Mertensia virginica reference page.
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) unfurling along the Trillium Trail in Fox Chapel. For a description and a generous selection of plants in full bloom, see the Mertensia virginica reference page.
As we have mentioned before, this species is in an oddly expansive mood lately. A decade or two ago it was uncommon, but now it is all over city sidewalks and yards. It is a perfect miniature of the common garden Forget-Me-Not—a beautiful flower close up, though likely to be missed on account of its diminutive size. These plants were blooming in Beechview in late May.
For a fuller description, see the Myosotis laxa reference page.
As their name implies, Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are most commonly blue. But, like many other blue flowers, they also occur in a range of colors including pink, white, pale blue, and lilac. Every year we return to the bluebell patch along the Trillium Trail in Fox Chapel to find bluebells in the wrong colors.
For a detailed description and many more pictures, see the Mertensia virginica reference page.
