Myosotis is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek μυοσωτίς “mouse’s ear”, which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the Northern Hemisphere, they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots or scorpion grasses. The genus was originally described by Carl Linnaeus. The type species is Myosotis scorpioides. Myosotis species are annual or perennial, herbaceous, flowering plants with pentamerous actinomorphic flowers with five sepals and petals.
Myosotis alpestris is the official flower of Alaska and Dalsland, Sweden. Plants of the genus are not to be confused with Chatham Islands’ forget-me-nots, which belong to the related genus Myosotidium. Typically, forget-me-nots are known for their bright blue flowers, often with a yellow center, which is a key identifying feature. However, there are also species or varieties that can have pink, white, or even yellow flowers.
The flowers are small, usually around 5-10 mm across, with five slightly notched petals. They are arranged in clusters or cymes at the top of the stems. Each flower has a funnel-shaped corolla where the petals are fused at the base, creating a tube-like structure.
The leaves are generally lanceolate to ovate, with a hairy texture, especially on the edges and underneath. They grow alternately along the stem, and in some species, they might form a basal rosette in their first year of growth. Leaf size varies by species but is small to medium, contributing to the plant’s overall delicate appearance.
Stems of forget-me-nots are often hairy or pubescent, which helps in distinguishing them from other plants. These hairs can offer a silvery sheen to the plant. The stems can be erect, ascending, or even creeping in some species.
Many species are biennial, with a rosette of leaves in the first year and flowering in the second. However, there are perennials and annuals within the genus as well. Some species grow in clumps or tufts, spreading via runners or forming mats, which can cover the ground densely.
Depending on the species, forget-me-nots bloom from late spring to early summer, with some species continuing to flower into late summer. The exact timing can vary based on geographical location and climate conditions.
Forget-me-nots are adaptable but often prefer moist, well-drained soils. They are commonly found in woodlands, meadows, by streams and rivers, in damp fields, or even in alpine environments. They can thrive in both sun and partial shade, with some species preferring cooler, shaded spots.
They attract various pollinators like bees, butterflies, and small insects, thanks to their nectar and pollen. The bright blue color is particularly attractive to bees. Besides seed production, some species can reproduce vegetatively through creeping stems that root at the nodes, allowing them to spread across an area.
Myosotis sylvatica (Woodland Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Native to Europe and Asia but widely naturalized elsewhere.
- Characteristics: This is perhaps the most common and well-known species. It’s a biennial or short-lived perennial, growing to about 30 cm tall. It has hairy, lance-shaped leaves and produces clusters of small, bright blue flowers with yellow centers in late spring to summer. It’s often found in woodlands, damp meadows, and along streams.
Myosotis scorpioides (Water Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Native to Europe and Asia, naturalized in North America.
- Characteristics: This species is a true perennial, thriving in wet environments like streambanks and pond margins. It has glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of blue flowers on arching stems that resemble a scorpion’s tail, hence the name. The flowers change from pink to blue as they mature.
Myosotis alpestris (Alpine Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Native to the European Alps, but also found in other mountainous regions of Europe.
- Characteristics: Known for its delicate, bright blue flowers with yellow centers, this species is smaller, reaching only up to 20 cm high. It’s adapted to high altitude environments but is popular in gardens for its vivid color and hardiness.
Myosotis discolor (Changing Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Europe, particularly widespread in the British Isles.
- Characteristics: This species is notable for its flowers that change color from pink to blue as they age. It grows in grasslands and open woods and has a creeping habit, making it good ground cover.
Myosotis laxa (Tufted Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Native to North America and Eurasia.
- Characteristics: Smaller than M. sylvatica, this species grows in wet meadows, along streams, and in marshy areas. It has tiny blue flowers and prefers cooler, damp conditions. It’s also known for its ability to form dense mats.
Myosotis arvensis (Field Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Europe and Asia, introduced to North America.
- Characteristics: An annual species, it’s found in fields and waste places. Its flowers are sky-blue with a yellow or white center, and it has smaller leaves compared to M. sylvatica. This forget-me-not is less common in cultivation but often seen in wild settings.
Myosotis verna (Spring Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Western Europe, particularly in Britain.
- Characteristics: This early bloomer has small, bright blue flowers with yellow centers. It prefers open, grassy or sandy soils and is often found in dunes or well-drained meadows. It’s one of the earliest forget-me-nots to bloom in spring.
Myosotis ramosissima (Early Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Europe, especially in the British Isles.
- Characteristics: Known for its early blooming, this species has smaller flowers compared to M. sylvatica. It grows in dry, rocky places and has a very delicate appearance, with thin stems and small leaves.
Myosotis stricta (Boreal Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Circumboreal, found across northern regions of Europe, Asia, and North America.
- Characteristics: This species is adapted to colder climates, growing in tundra and boreal environments. It has small, blue flowers and is an annual or biennial plant, often found in disturbed soils.
Myosotis azorica (Azores Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Endemic to the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Characteristics: This species is unique to the Azores, featuring larger flowers than many mainland species. Its conservation status is of concern due to its limited range, and it grows in wet, rocky areas. The flowers are typically a vivid blue, attracting pollinators in its isolated habitat.
Myosotis secunda (Creeping Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Europe, widespread in the British Isles.
- Characteristics: This species features creeping stems that root at the nodes, forming a dense mat. The flowers are small, blue, and have a yellow center, similar to other forget-me-nots but with a particularly prostrate growth habit. It’s often found in damp, grassy places or by water bodies.
Myosotis latifolia (Broad-leaved Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Southern Europe, particularly in the Pyrenees and Alps.
- Characteristics: As the name suggests, this forget-me-not has broader leaves than most of its cousins. The flowers are a typical blue with a yellow eye, but the plant’s larger, more robust appearance makes it stand out. It’s perennial, enjoying cooler, moist environments.
Myosotis rehsteineri (Forget-Me-Not of Rehsteiner)
- Origin: Endemic to the Swiss Alps.
- Characteristics: Named after Johann Rehsteiner, this species is small with flowers that are less intensely blue, often appearing more sky-blue. It’s adapted to high-altitude conditions, featuring a compact growth form to withstand alpine climates.
Myosotis cespitosa (Tufted Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Widespread in Europe and Asia, extending into North America.
- Characteristics: Similar to Myosotis laxa but often considered a separate species due to slight differences in flower color and habitat preferences. It forms tight tufts with small, bright blue flowers. It thrives in wet areas, often near water, and can tolerate some salinity, making it common near coastal areas.
Myosotis sylvestris (Woodland Forget-Me-Not)
- Origin: Native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
- Characteristics: This species is closely related to M. sylvatica but is more adapted to woodland conditions, often growing in shaded areas with rich, moist soil. Its flowers are a vibrant blue with a yellow center, and while it shares many traits with woodland forget-me-nots, it might have slightly different growth habits or flower size depending on local conditions.