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 seed oil Borage seed oil Borage seed oil is derived from the seeds of the "Borago officinalis" (borage). Borage seed oil has one of the highest amounts of γ-linolenic acid (GLA) of seed oils — higher than blackcurrant seed oil or evening primrose oil, to which it is considered similar. GLA typically comprises about 24% of the oil. GLA is converted to dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), a precursor to a variety of the 1-series prostaglandins and the 3-series leukotrienes. It inhibits leukotriene synthesis to provide therapy in rheumatologic illness. Borage seed oil may therefore have anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects and it has been