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white blue eyed Mary
Scientific Name: Collinsia bartsiifolia var. bartsiifolia
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual
Other Names:
Blue-Eyed Mary: A Delicate Wildflower
The name "Blue-Eyed Mary" encompasses several beautiful wildflowers in the Collinsia and Omphalodes genera. Known for their distinctive bi-colored petals, these plants bring a touch of spring charm to woodland areas.
Considerations for Pets and Children
- Some species, like Omphalodes verna, are mat-forming perennials, which might be tempting for pets to nibble on.
- Collinsia species can have small flowers with slender stalks, potentially posing a minor choking hazard for very young children if ingested.
Scientific Name & Common Names
- Scientific Names: Omphalodes verna, Collinsia verna, Collinsia bartsiifolia, Collinsia parviflora, Collinsia rattanii
- Common Names: Blue-Eyed Mary, Creeping Navelwort, Spring Blue-Eyed Mary, Eastern Blue-Eyed Mary, Small-Flowered Blue-Eyed Mary, Maiden Blue-Eyed Mary, Blue-Lips, Baby Blue Eyes, White Blue Eyed Mary, Sticky Blue Eyed Mary
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Multiple species across two genera: Omphalodes and Collinsia.
- Synonyms for some species include: Collinsia bartsiifolia ssp. davidsonii (Davidson's Blue Eyed Mary)
Distribution and Habitat
- Blue-Eyed Mary species are found in both the eastern and western United States, British Columbia, Ontario, California, and Colorado.
- Collinsia parviflora (Small-flowered Blue-eyed Mary) is more common in woodlands of the western U.S.
- Collinsia verna (Spring Blue-eyed Mary) occurs occasionally in NE and east central regions.
- Habitats range from dry to moist rocky outcrops and woodlands.
Morphological Characteristics
- Flowers are typically blue and white, often with the upper petals white or pale blue/purple and the lower petals a deeper blue. Pink and white variations can also occur.
- Flowers are bilaterally symmetrical and can be quite small (0.8cm wide for some Collinsia species, and the corolla 4-7mm long for *Collinsia parviflora*).
- Omphalodes verna has oval leaves and sprays of white-eyed, bright blue flowers.
- Collinsia parviflora is a small annual forb (10-40 cm) with narrow leaves.
Quirky Facts
- The flowers are described as resembling "little sky-blue and white 'faces'."
- An albino specimen (completely white) of Collinsia verna has been observed.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Collinsia parviflora can often be found alongside the tiny, white flowering Microsteris gracilis.
Resources and Further Information
- Discover Life: Provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Collinsia bartsiifolia.
- Saint Mary's College of California: Source of information on Collinsia bartsiifolia ssp. davidsonii.