Mertensia ciliata are oval to lance-shaped and pointed. The inflorescence is an open array of many clustered blue bell-shaped flowers each between 1 and 2 centimeters long. The hanging, fragrant flower is tubular, expanding into a wider, lobed mouth. The flowers and leaves are edible. As the individual flowers progress in age they change in color from blue to pink-red. The flowers bear poricidal anthers and are fertilized via buzz-pollination by several "Bombus" species. Primary Nectar robbing by "Bombus" species, including "Bombus occidentalis" is common in some populations. Mertensia ciliata Mertensia ciliata is a species of flowering plant in the borage family
Borage (asthma, bronchitis), cardiovascular, (cardiotonic, antihypertensive and blood purifier), urinary (diuretic and kidney/bladder disorders). One case of status epilepticus has been reported that was associated with borage oil ingestion. A methanol extract of borage has shown strong amoebicidal activity "in vitro". The 50% inhibitory concentration () of the extract against "Entamoeba histolytica" was 33 µg/mL. Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides say that borage was the "Nepenthe" mentioned in Homer, which caused forgetfulness when mixed with wine. Francis Bacon thought that borage had "an excellent spirit to repress the fuliginous vapour of dusky melancholie." John Gerard's "Herball" mentions an old verse concerning