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Collinsia verna Nutt.
Spring blue eyed Mary, Spring Blue-eyed Mary
USDA Symbol: COVE2
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
A weak stem bearing whorls of 4-6 stalked, 2-lipped, blue and white flowers rising from axils of opposite, mostly stalkless leaves.
This plant is sometimes so abundant in woodlands as to form a blue carpet on the forest floor. The seeds of this delicate winter annual are shed in the summer and germinate in the fall, the seedlings persisting through the winter. The genus name honors Zaccheus Collins (1764-1831), a Philadelphia botanist. The species name is the Latin word for spring and describes the flowering time.
Plant CharacteristicsDuration: Annual Habit: Herb Fruit:
Bloom InformationBloom Color: Blue
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
AR , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MI , MO , NY , OH , OK , PA , TN , VA , WI , WV Canada: ON Native Distribution:
Ontario and New York south to Virginia, southwest to Tennessee and Oklahoma, and north to Kansas, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Native Habitat:
Damp open woods. USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)
Growing ConditionsLight Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
BenefitConspicuous Flowers: yes
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Record Modified: 2010-04-19
Research By: TWC Staff