Alpine Bluebells (Mertensia alpina (Torr.) G. Don)

POWO does not list any name Mertensia alpina (Torr.) G. Don, only Mertensia alpina A. Gray and Mertensia alpina (R. Br.) Poir, neither of which correspond to the same taxon as this. However, the INPI entry for Mertensia alpina A.Gray noted that Gray used' G. Don's name, so it may be that that name refers to the same one as here. If so, POWO has merged this species into prairie bluebells (Mertensia lanceolata), considering this name equivalent to Mertensia lanceolata var. lanceolata. However, that variety does not correspond to this one in range; POWO's reported range for that variety extends farther north and east, but does not extend into Idaho. We have not yet examined and/or attempted to reconcile these differences; for now we stick with the treatment used by USDA and BONAP.