''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "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. ''

Myosotis alpestris ''Myosotis alpestris'' or alpine forget-me-not is a herbaceous perennial plant in the flowering plant family Boraginaceae. The alpine forget-me-not is the County flowers of the United Kingdom, county flower of Westmorland in the United Kingdom ...

'' is the official flower of Alaska and Dalsland, Sweden. Plants of the genus are commonly confused with Chatham Islands' forget-me-nots, which belong to the related genus ''

Myosotidium ''Myosotidium'' is a genus of plants belonging to the family Boraginaceae. This genus is represented by the single species ''Myosotidium hortensia'', the Chatham Islands lily, giant forget-me-not or Chatham Islands forget-me-not, which is endemi ...

''.

Description

The genus was originally described by Carl Linnaeus. The type species is '' Myosotis scorpioides''. ''Myosotis'' species are annual or perennial herbaceous flowering plants with penta

merous Merosity (from the greek "méros," which means "having parts") refers to the number of component parts in a distinct whorl of a plant structure. The term is most commonly used in the context of a flower where it refers to the number of sepals in a ...

actinomorphic flowers with 5 sepals and petals. Flowers are typically 1 cm in diameter or less, flatly faced, coloured blue, pink, white or yellow with yellow centres and borne on scorpioid cymes. The foliage is alternate, and their roots are generally diffuse. They typically flower in spring or soon after the melting of snow in alpine ecosystems. Wald Vergissmeinnicht

The seeds are contained in small, tulip-shaped pods along the stem to the flower. The pods attach to clothing when brushed against and eventually fall off, leaving the small seed within the pod to germinate elsewhere. Seeds can be collected by placing a sheet of paper under stems and shaking the seed pods onto the paper. '' Myosotis scorpioides'' is colloquially called ''scorpion grass'' because of the spiraling curvature of its inflorescence.

Distribution

The genus is largely restricted to western Eurasia, with approximately 60 confirmed species, and New Zealand with approximately 40 endemic species. A few species occur elsewhere including

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...

, South America, and Papua New Guinea. Despite this, ''Myosotis'' species are now common throughout temperate latitudes because of the introduction of cultivars and alien species. Many are popular in horticulture. They prefer moist habitats. In locales where they are not native, they frequently escape to wetlands and riverbanks. Only those native to the Northern hemisphere are colloquially denominated "forget-me-nots". One or two European species, especially '' Myosotis sylvatica'', the "woodland" forget-me-nots, have been introduced into most of the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and the

Americas The Americas, which are sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World. Along with th ...

. Genetic analysis indicates that the genus originated in the northern hemisphere, and that species native to New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea and South America form a lineage of closely related species that are likely derived from a single dispersal event to the southern hemisphere.

Ecology

Hover Fly feeding on forget-me-not flower 2

''Myosotis'' are food for the larvae of some

Lepidoptera Lepidoptera ( ) is an order (biology), order of insects that includes butterfly, butterflies and moths (both are called lepidopterans). About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera are described, in 126 Family (biology), families and 46 Taxonomic r ...

species including the setaceous Hebrew character. Many of the species in New Zealand are threatened.

Taxonomy

Of more than 510 recorded species names, only 152 species are presently accepted, listed below. The remainder are either synonyms or hybrids of presently accepted or proposed names. *''

Myosotis abyssinica ''Myosotis abyssinica'' () is a species of plant in the family Boraginaceae Boraginaceae, the borage or forget-me-not family, includes about 2,000 species of shrubs, trees and herbs in 146, to 156 genera with a worldwide distribution. The AP ...

'' Boiss. & Reut. *''

Myosotis afropalustris ''Myosotis afropalustris'' () is a species of plant in the family of Boraginaceae Boraginaceae, the borage or forget-me-not family, includes about 2,000 species of shrubs, trees and herbs in 146, to 156 genera with a worldwide distribution. ...

'' C.H. Wright *''

Myosotis albicans ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Riedl *'' Myosotis albiflora'' Banks & Sol. ex

Hook.f. Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker (30 June 1817 – 10 December 1911) was a British botanist and explorer in the 19th century. He was a founder of geographical botany and Charles Darwin's closest friend. For twenty years he served as director of t ...

*'' Myosotis albosericea''

*''

'' F.W.Schmidt (alpine forget-me-not) *'' Myosotis amabilis''

Cheeseman Cheeseman is a surname, meaning a maker or seller of cheese. Over time, the name has been spelt in a variety of different ways, including Cheesman, Cheseman, Chesman, Chessman, Chiesman and Chisman. Notable people with the surname include: * An ...

*''

Myosotis ambigens ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' ( Bég.)

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*''

Myosotis angustata ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

*''

Myosotis anomala ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Riedl *''

Myosotis antarctica ''Myosotis antarctica'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, native to mainland New Zealand, Campbell Island and southern Chile. Joseph Dalton Hooker described the species in his 19th century work ''Flora Antarctica''. Pl ...

*''

Myosotis arnoldii ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

L.B.Moore Lucy Beatrice Moore (14 July 1906 – 9 June 1987) was a New Zealand botanist and ecologist. Biography Early life and education Moore was born in Warkworth, New Zealand, on 14 July 1906, the daughter of Janet Morison and Harry Blomfield Moor ...

*'' Myosotis arvensis'' (L.) Hill (field forget-me-not) *''

Myosotis asiatica ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' (Vestergr. ''ex'' Hultén) Schischk. & Serg. (Asiatic forget-me-not) *'' Myosotis atlantica'' Vestergr. *''

Myosotis australis ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' R.Br. *''

Myosotis austrosibirica ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' O.D.Nikif. *'' Myosotis azorica'' H.C.Watson (Azores forget-me-not) *''

Myosotis baicalensis ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' O.D.Nikif. *''

Myosotis balbisiana ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Jord. *'' Myosotis bothriospermoides'' Kitag. *''

Myosotis brachypoda ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Gren. *'' Myosotis brevis'' de Lange & Barkla *''

Myosotis brockiei ''Myosotis brockiei'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to southern South Island of New Zealand. Lucy Moore and Margaret Simpson described the species in 1973. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are pere ...

& M.J.A.Simpson *''

Myosotis bryonoma ''Myosotis bryonoma'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand.Heidi Meudt, Jessica Prebble and Michael Thorsen described the species. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are p ...

'' Meudt, Prebble & Thorsen *''

Myosotis butorinae ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Stepanov *''

Myosotis cadmea ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Kitag *''

Myosotis cameroonensis ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Cheek & R.Becker *''

Myosotis capitata ''Myosotis capitata'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the Campbell and Auckland Islands of New Zealand. Joseph Dalton Hooker described the species in his 19th century work ''Flora Antarctica''. Plants of thi ...

*''

Myosotis chaffeyorum ''Myosotis chaffeyorum'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Carlos Lehnebach described the species. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial with a creeping hab ...

'' Lehnebach *''

Myosotis chakassica ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' O.D.Nikif. *'' Myosotis cheesemanii''

Petrie Petrie is a surname of Scottish origin which may refer to: People * Alexander Petrie (minister), Alexander Petrie (died 1662), Scottish minister * Alistair Petrie (born 1970), English actor * Andrew Petrie (1798–1872), Scottish-born builder, arc ...

*''

Myosotis × cinerascens ''Myosotis'' × ''cinerascens'' is a hybrid species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Donald Petrie described ''M. cinerascens'' in 1891, and it was later deemed to be a hybrid in 2021. P ...

*''

Myosotis colensoi ''Myosotis colensoi'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Thomas Kirk described the species in 1896. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes with bract ...

'' ( Kirk)

J.F.Macbr. James Francis Macbride (19 May 1892 16 June 1976) was an American botanist who devoted most of his professional life to the study of the flora of Peru. Early life and education Born on 19 May 1892 in Rock Valley, Iowa, Macbride graduated from th ...

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Myosotis concinna ''Myosotis concinna'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Thomas Cheeseman described the species in 1885. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are large, perennial rosettes ...

*'' Myosotis congesta'' Shuttlew. *'' Myosotis corsicana'' (Fiori) Grau *''

Myosotis czekanowskii ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' (Trautv.) Kamelin & V.N.Tikhom. *''

Myosotis daralaghezica ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' T.N.Popova *''

Myosotis debilis ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

Pomel Nicolas Auguste Pomel (20 September 1821 – 2 August 1898) was a French geologist, paleontologist and botanist. He worked as a mines engineer in Algeria and became a specialist in north African vertebrate fossils. He was Senator of Algeria for Ora ...

*''

Myosotis decumbens ''Myosotis decumbens'' is a plant species of the genus ''Myosotis ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In ...

'' Host *''

Myosotis diminuta ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Grau *''

Myosotis discolor ''Myosotis discolor'' is a species of forget-me-not known by the common name changing forget-me-not. It is native to Europe, and it can also be found throughout eastern and western North America, where it is an introduced species. It grows in man ...

Pers. Christiaan Hendrik Persoon (1 February 1761 – 16 November 1836) was a German mycologist who made additions to Linnaeus' mushroom taxonomy. Early life Persoon was born in South Africa at the Cape of Good Hope, the third child of an immi ...

(changing forget-me-not) *'' Myosotis densiflora'' C. Koch *'' Myosotis dissitiflora''

Baker A baker is a tradesperson who bakes and sometimes sells breads and other products made of flour by using an oven or other concentrated heat source. The place where a baker works is called a bakery. History Ancient history Since grains ha ...

*'' Myosotis ergakensis'' Stepanov *'' Myosotis exarrhena''

F.Muell. Baron Sir Ferdinand Jacob Heinrich von Mueller, (german: Müller; 30 June 1825 – 10 October 1896) was a German-Australian physician, geographer, and most notably, a botanist. He was appointed government botanist for the then colony of Victo ...

*''

Myosotis eximia ''Myosotis eximia'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. The species was described by Donald Petrie. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial and erect, and have ebrac ...

*'' Myosotis explanata''

*'' Myosotis forsteri'' Lehm. *''

Myosotis gallica ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Vestergr. *''

Myosotis galpinii ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' C.H.Wright *''

Myosotis glabrescens ''Myosotis glabrescens'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Lucy Moore described the species in 1961. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are tightly compacted, perenni ...

*''

Myosotis glauca ''Myosotis glauca'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. George Simpson and J.S. Thomson described ''M. pygmaea'' var. ''glauca'' in 1942, and Peter de Lange and John Barkla ...

'' ( G.Simpson & J.S.Thomson) de Lange & Barkla *''

Myosotis goyenii ''Myosotis goyenii'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Donald Petrie described the species in 1891. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes which form ...

*''

Myosotis graminifolia ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' DC. *''

Myosotis graui ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Selvi *'' Myosotis guneri '' A.P.Khokhr. *'' Myosotis heteropoda'' Trautv. *'' Myosotis hikuwai'' Meudt, Prebble & G.M.Rogers *''

Myosotis imitata ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Serg. *''

Myosotis incrassata ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

Guss. Giovanni Gussone (8 February 1787, Villamaina – 14 January 1866, Naples) was an Italian academic and botanist, remembered for his work in plant taxonomy and in particular his research in Sicilian flora. He studied medicine in Naples, where he ...

*'' Myosotis jenissejensis'' O.D.Nikif. *'' Myosotis jordanovii'' N.Andreev & Peev *'' Myosotis kamelinii'' O.D.Nikif. *'' Myosotis kazakhstanica'' O.D.Nikif. *''

Myosotis kebeshensis ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Stepanov *'' Myosotis keniensis'' T.C.E.Fr. *'' Myosotis koelzii'' Riedl *'' Myosotis kolakovskyi'' A.P.Khokhr. *'' Myosotis krasnoborovii'' O.D.Nikif. & Lomon. *'' Myosotis krylovii'' Serg. *''

Myosotis kurdica ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Riedl *''

Myosotis laeta ''Myosotis laeta'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to ultramafic areas of the Sounds-Nelson area of the South Island of New Zealand. Thomas Cheeseman described the species in 1885. Plants of this species of fo ...

*''

Myosotis laingii ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

*'' Myosotis latifolia''

Poir. Jean Louis Marie Poiret (11 June 1755 in Saint-Quentin7 April 1834 in Paris) was a French clergyman, botanist, and explorer. From 1785 to 1786, he was sent by Louis XVI to Algeria to study the flora. After the French Revolution, he became a ...

(broadleaf forget-me-not) *''

Myosotis laxa ''Myosotis laxa'' is a species of forget-me-not ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hem ...

'' Lehm. (tufted forget-me-not or bay forget-me-not) *''

Myosotis lazica ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

Popov Popov (; masculine), or Popova (; feminine), is a common Russian, Bulgarian, Macedonian and Serbian surname. Derived from a Slavonic word ''pop'' (, "priest"). The fourth most common Russian surname, it may refer to: * Alek Popov (born 1966), ...

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Myosotis lithospermifolia ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Hornem. *''

Myosotis lithuanica ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' (Schmalh.) Besser ex Dobrocz. *''

Myosotis litoralis ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Steven ex M.Bieb. *''

Myosotis ludomilae ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-n ...

'' Zaver. *''

Myosotis lyallii ''Myosotis lyallii'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to New Zealand. Joseph Dalton Hooker described the species in 1853. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial with a prostrate habit, bracteate ...

*''

Myosotis macrantha ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' (

)

Benth. George Bentham (22 September 1800 – 10 September 1884) was an English botanist, described by the weed botanist Duane Isely as "the premier systematic botanist of the nineteenth century". Born into a distinguished family, he initially studie ...

*''

Myosotis macrosiphon ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Font Quer & Maire *''

Myosotis macrosperma ''Myosotis macrosperma'', commonly called largeseed forget-me-not, is a species of flowering plant in the borage family (Boraginaceae). It is native to North America, where it found in the eastern United States and Ontario, Canada Canad ...

Engelm. George Engelmann, also known as Georg Engelmann, (2 February 1809 – 4 February 1884) was a German-American botanist. He was instrumental in describing the flora (plants), flora of the west of North America, then very poorly known to Europeans; ...

(largeseed forget-me-not) *''

Myosotis magniflora ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' A.P.Khokhr. *''

Myosotis margaritae ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Štěpánková *'' Myosotis maritima'' Hochst. ex Seub. *''

Myosotis martini ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Sennen *'' Myosotis matthewsii''

*''

Myosotis michaelae ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Štěpánková *''

Myosotis micrantha ''Myosotis micrantha'' is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Boraginaceae. Its native range is Caucasus The Caucasus () or Caucasia (), is a region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, mainly comprising Armenia, Azer ...

'' Pall. ex Lehm. *'' Myosotis minutiflora'' Boiss. & Reut. *''

Myosotis monroi ''Myosotis monroi'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. The species was described by Thomas Cheeseman. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial and erect, and have e ...

(Monro's forget-me-not) *'' Myosotis nemorosa''

Besser Besser is the surname of: *Astrid Besser * Chaskel Besser (born 1923), Rabbi from Manhattan * Jesse Besser, who invented a machine for making Besser blocks. * Joe Besser (1907–1988), American comedian * Hans Besser * Hans Besser (chess player ...

*'' Myosotis nikiforovae'' Stepanov *'' Myosotis ochotensis'' O.D.Nikif. *'' Myosotis olympica'' Boiss. *'' Myosotis oreophila''

*''

Myosotis pansa ''Myosotis pansa'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. Lucy Moore described the variety ''M. petiolata'' var. ''pansa'' in 1961, and it was raised to species level as ''M. p ...

'' (

) Meudt, Prebble, R.J.Stanley & Thorsen *''

Myosotis paucipilosa ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' (Grau) Ristow & Hand *'' Myosotis persoonii'' Georges RouyRouy &

E.G.Camus Edmond Gustave Camus (1852 – 22 August 1915) was a French pharmacist and botanist known for his work with orchids. A pharmacist by vocation, he was a resident of L'Isle-Adam, a community near Paris. He was the father of botanist Aimée Antoi ...

*''

Myosotis petiolata ''Myosotis petiolata'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the Hawkes Bay region of the North Island of New Zealand. Joseph Dalton Hooker described the species in 1853. Plants of this species of forget-me-n ...

*''

Myosotis platyphylla ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Boiss. *''

Myosotis popovii ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Dobrocz. *''

Myosotis pottsiana ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' (

) Meudt, Prebble, R.J.Stanley & Thorsen *''

Myosotis propinqua ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' (Turcz.) Fisch. & C.A.Mey. *''

Myosotis pulvinaris ''Myosotis pulvinaris'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Joseph Dalton Hooker described the species in 1867. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial with a pro ...

*'' Myosotis pusilla'' Loisel. *''

Myosotis radix-palaris ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' A.P.Khokhr. *''

Myosotis ramosissima ''Myosotis ramosissima'' or early forget-me-not is a flowering plant species in the family Boraginaceae Boraginaceae, the borage or forget-me-not family, includes about 2,000 species of shrubs, trees and herbs in 146, to 156 genera with a ...

'' Rochel (early forget-me-not) *''

Myosotis rakiura ''Myosotis rakiura'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to southern South Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura of New Zealand. Joseph Beattie Armstrong described the species in 1881. Plants of this species of forg ...

*'' Myosotis refracta'' Boiss. *''

Myosotis rehsteineri ''Myosotis rehsteineri'' is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Boraginaceae. Its native range is Alps The Alps () ; german: Alpen ; it, Alpi ; rm, Alps ; sl, Alpe . are the highest and most extensive mountain range s ...

'' (Hausm.) Wartm. ex Reut. *'' Myosotis retrorsa'' Meudt, Prebble & Hindmarsh-Walls *'' Myosotis rivularis'' (Vestergr.) A.P. Khokhr *'' Myosotis robusta''

D.Don David Don (21 December 1799 – 15 December 1841) was a Scottish botanist. Biography David Don was born on 21 December 1799 at Doo Hillock, Forfar, Angus, Scotland to Caroline Clementina Stuart, and her husband George Don of Forfar. His olde ...

*''

Myosotis sajanensis ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' O.D.Nikif. *'' Myosotis saxatilis''

*'' Myosotis saxosa''

*''

Myosotis schistosa ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' A.P.Khokhr. *''

Myosotis schmakovii ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' O.D.Nikif. *'' Myosotis scorpioides'' (L.) (true forget-me-not) *'' Myosotis secunda'' Al.Murray (creeping forget-me-not) *''

Myosotis semiamplexicaulis ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

DC. Augustin Pyramus (or Pyrame) de Candolle (, , ; 4 February 17789 September 1841) was a Swiss botanist. René Louiche Desfontaines launched de Candolle's botanical career by recommending him at a herbarium. Within a couple of years de Candolle ...

*''

Myosotis sicula ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

(Jersey forget-me-not) *''

Myosotis solange ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Greuter & Zaffran *'' Myosotis soleirolii''

Godr. Dominique Alexandre Godron (25 March 1807 - 16 August 1880) was a French physician, botanist, geologist and speleologist born in the town of Hayange, in the ''département'' Moselle. Godron studied medicine at the University of Strasbourg, and d ...

*'' Myosotis sparsiflora''

J.C.Mikan Johann Christian Mikan (born 5 December 1769 in Teplitz, died 28 December 1844 in Prague) was an Austrian-Czech botanist, zoologist and entomologist. He was the son of Joseph Gottfried Mikan. Career Mikan was a professor of natural history a ...

''ex'' Pohl *'' Myosotis spatulata''

G.Forst. Johann George Adam Forster, also known as Georg Forster (, 27 November 1754 – 10 January 1794), was a German naturalist, ethnologist, travel writer, journalist and revolutionary. At an early age, he accompanied his father, Johann Reinhold F ...

*''

Myosotis speciosa ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

Auguste PomelPomel Auguste may refer to: People Surname * Arsène Auguste (born 1951), Haitian footballer * Donna Auguste (born 1958), African-American businesswoman * Georges Auguste (born 1933), Haitian painter * Henri Auguste (1759–1816), Parisian gold and ...

*'' Myosotis speluncicola'' Schott ''ex'' Boiss *''

Myosotis stenophylla ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Knaf *''

Myosotis stolonifera ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

( J.Gay ex DC.) J.Gay ex Leresche & Levier *''

Myosotis stricta ''Myosotis stricta'' is a plant species of the genus '' Myosotis''. Common names include strict forget-me-not and blue scorpion grass. References stricta Flora of Michigan Flora without expected TNC conservation status {{Asterid-st ...

'' Link ''ex''

Roem. Johann Jacob Roemer (8 January 1763, Zurich – 15 January 1819) was a physician and professor of botany in Zurich, Switzerland. He was also an entomologist. With Austrian botanist Joseph August Schultes, he published the 16th edition of Carl ...

Schult. Josef (Joseph) August Schultes (15 April 1773 in Vienna – 21 April 1831 in Landshut) was an Austrian botanist and professor from Vienna. Together with Johann Jacob Roemer (1763–1819), he published the 16th edition of Linnaeus' ''Systema ...

*''

Myosotis suavis ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

*'' Myosotis subcordata'' Riedl *'' Myosotis sylvatica''

Ehrh. Jakob Friedrich Ehrhart (4 November 1742, Holderbank, Aargau – 26 June 1795) was a German botanist, a pupil of Carl Linnaeus at Uppsala University, and later director of the Botanical Garden of Hannover, where he produced several major botanical ...

''ex''

Hoffm. Georg Franz Hoffmann was a German Botany, botanist and lichenology, lichenologist. He was born on 13 January 1760 in Marktbreit, Germany, and died on 17 March 1826 in Moscow, Russia. Professional career After graduating from the University of Er ...

(wood forget-me-not) *''

Myosotis tenericaulis ''Myosotis tenericaulis'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to New Zealand. Donald Petrie described the species in 1918. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes with creeping, sprawling ...

*'' Myosotis taverae'' Valdés *''

Myosotis tineoi ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' C.Brullo & Brullo *''

Myosotis traillii ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Kirk *''

Myosotis traversii ''Myosotis traversii'' is a species of flowering plant in the Family (biology), family Boraginaceae, Endemic species, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Joseph Dalton Hooker described this species in 1864. Plants of this species of For ...

*''

Myosotis tuxeniana ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' ( O.Bolòs & Vigo) O.Bolòs & Vigo *''

Myosotis ucrainica ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Czern. *'' Myosotis ultramafica'' Meudt, Prebble & Rance *'' Myosotis umbrosa'' Meudt, Prebble & Thorsen *'' Myosotis uniflora''

*''

Myosotis urceolaris ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Shuttlew. *'' Myosotis venosa'' Colenso *''

Myosotis venticola ''Myosotis venticola'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Heidi Meudt and Jessica Prebble described ''M. venticola'' in 2022. Plants of this forget-me-not are perennial with ...

'' Meudt & Prebble *''

Myosotis verna ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

Nutt. Thomas Nuttall (5 January 1786 – 10 September 1859) was an English botanist and zoologist who lived and worked in America from 1808 until 1841. Nuttall was born in the village of Long Preston, near Settle in the West Riding of Yorkshire and ...

(spring forget-me-not) *''

Myosotis vestergrenii ''Myosotis'' ( ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. In the northern hemisphere they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots ...

'' Stroh *'' Myosotis welwitschii'' Boiss. & Reut. *'' Myosotis wumengensis'' L.Wei

Gallery

File:Myosotis scorpioides LC0184.jpg, '' Myosotis scorpioides'' File:Myosotis eximia Flowers MRD Otari.jpg, ''

'' File:Myosotis colensoi.jpg, ''

'' File:Myosotis pulvinaris 2.jpg, ''

'' File:Myosotis pansa kz1.jpg, ''

'' File:Blue forget-me-nots.jpg, ''Myosotis sylvatica'' File:P1050373 Alpine forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris) in Kharta Chu side valley, Tibet Thu 20 July 2006.jpg, ''

Symbolism

The small blue forget-me-not flower was first used by the Grand Lodge ''Zur Sonne'', in 1926, as a Masonic emblem at the annual convention in

Bremen Bremen (Low German also: ''Breem'' or ''Bräm''), officially the City Municipality of Bremen (german: Stadtgemeinde Bremen, ), is the capital of the German state Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (''Freie Hansestadt Bremen''), a two-city-state consis ...

, Germany. In 1938, a forget-me-not badge—made by the same factory as the Masonic badge—was chosen for the annual Nazi Party ''

Winterhilfswerk The ''Winterhilfswerk des Deutschen Volkes'' ( en, link=yes, Winter Relief of the German People), commonly known by its abbreviated form ''Winterhilfswerk'' (WHW), was an annual donation drive by the National Socialist People's Welfare (german: ...

'', the annual charity drive of the National Socialist People's Welfare, the welfare branch of the Nazi party. This coincidence enabled

Freemasons Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...

to wear the forget-me-not badge as a secret sign of membership. After World War II, the forget-me-not flower was used again as a Masonic emblem in 1948 at the first Annual Convention of the United Grand Lodges of Germany. The badge is now worn in the coat lapel by Freemasons around the world to remember all who suffered in the name of Freemasonry, especially those during the Nazi era. The flower is also used as a symbol of remembrance by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is used to commemorate those from the province who were killed in the First World War, and worn around July 1. It is also used in Germany to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the world wars in a similar manner to the use of remembrance poppies in the UK. The flower is also the symbol for the Armenian Genocide's 100th anniversary. The design of the flower is a black dot symbolising the past, and the suffering of Armenian people. The light purple appendages symbolise the present, and unity of Armenians. The 5 purple petals symbolise the future, and the five continents Armenians escaped to. The yellow in the centre symbolises eternity, and the Tsitsernakaberd itself symbolises the 12 provinces lost to Turkey. In

Lithuania Lithuania (; lt, Lietuva ), officially the Republic of Lithuania ( lt, Lietuvos Respublika, links=no ), is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. Lithuania ...

the flower has become one of the symbols for the commemoration of the

January Events , partof = Revolutions of 1989, Singing Revolution, and Dissolution of the Soviet Union , image = , caption = A man with a Lithuanian flag in front of a Soviet tank, 13 January 1991 , date = ...

of 1991. In The Netherlands, the forget-me-not has become a symbol for Alzheimer Nederland, a foundation advocating for people suffering from dementia. In New Zealand, the Forget-Me-Not is the symbol for Alzheimers New Zealand, the foundation advocating for people suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and dementia. In history of art, the forget-me-not is used to remember loved ones who have passed away. It is therefore very common in funerary portraits.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q147149 Boraginaceae genera Symbols of Alaska Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Blue flowers