Hardy native species. Linear grass-like leaves to 1 1/2' tall. Showy blue flowers have been used for a blue dye. One of my favorite common names of all time - Cow Slobber - comes from the sap that exudes from broken stems. A poultice of leaves and stems can be used to treat stings and insect bites. The young leaves and stems can be eaten fresh or cooked and the flowers are also edible. Root tea has been used to treat stomach aches and as a laxative. Blue stamen hairs turn pink in the presence of nuclear and chemical pollution. This has led to the Stamen-hair-mutation Test(Trad-SHM) as a means to detect gene mutation due to radiation exposure. No batteries required. Easy perennial requiring little attention - it's happy in most soils. Blooms best in full sun.