Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) growing on a hillside at Geode State Park in Henry county, Iowa. The plant flowers in early spring prior to the emergence of tree foliage in low lying wooded areas.

Details: 

(Top) Canon EOS 10D,  shutter 1/200 second, aperture f9.5, ISO 100, Canon EF 100 mm macro lens, Canon MR-14EX ring flash.

(Bottom) Canon EOS 10D,  shutter 1/200 second, aperture f9.5, ISO 100, Canon EF 100 mm macro lens, Canon MR-14EX ring flash.

Selected References:

Thieret John W, Niering William A, and Olmstead Nancy C. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Plate 522, P 432.

USDA-NRCS. "Plant profile for Mertensia virginica."  The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov/ ). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. 2004. < http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi?earl=plant_profile.cgi&symbol=MEVI3 > (09 Apr. 2005).