Myosotis scorpioides (Forget-me-not)

Myosotis scorpioides

Myosotis scorpioides L.

Myosotis palustris (L.) Hill

Forget-me-not

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Asteridae	A large class that encompasses asters
Order	Lamiales	Aromatic herbs and shrubs, including lavender, lilac, olive, jasmine, ash, teak, snapdragon, sesame, psyllium, garden sage, mint, basil, and rosemary
Family	Boraginaceae	Borages or forget-me-nots
Genus	Myosotis	From the Greek myos, “mouse,” and ous or otos, “ear,” from the shape of the leaves
Species	scorpioides	Resembling a scorpion

About plant names...

True forget-me-nots are native to Europe and Asia. They were introduced to North America and are now naturalized throughout much of the continent.

Identification: Forget-me-nots have pale- to medium-blue flowers with 5 petals and yellow centers. Flowers are ¼" (6.3 mm) in size, appearing from May to October. They prefer wet places such as bogs, wet areas, or riparian environments. Plants are usually low, sometimes reaching 24" (60 cm). Stems are hairy. See also the alpine forget-me-not, which is a brighter blue in color.

By Johann Georg Sturm (Artist: Jacob Sturm).

Online References:

Myosotis scorpioides at Illinois Wildflowers

Myosotis scorpioides at the University of Wisconsin's Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium

Myosotis scorpioides on Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

Myosotis scorpioides on Eastern Colorado Wildflowers

Myosotis scorpioides on CalPhotos

Myosotis scorpioides at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Myosotis scorpioides on Fall Wildflowers of New England

Myosotis scorpioides on SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network

8/2/2009 · Gordon & Kathy’s, Prospect, ME
≈ 5 × 3½" (13 × 8.7 cm) ID is uncertain

9/14/2013 · Whitewater Rafting Trip, Barryville to Pond Eddy Leg, Delaware River, Barryville, PA
≈ 3½ × 3" (9.2 × 8 cm)

8/2/2009 · Gordon & Kathy’s, Prospect, ME
≈ 3 × 2" (7.7 × 5.8 cm) ID is uncertain

Myosotis scorpioides description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 2 Jan 2019.

6/16/2012 · Brown St., Falmouth, ME
≈ 8 × 5" (19 × 13 cm)

Probably a cultivar. · 5/27/2016 · Acton Arboretum, Acton, MA
≈ 5 × 3½" (13 × 9.2 cm)

6/16/2012 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, MA
≈ 6 × 6" (14 × 15 cm)

Probably a cultivar. · 5/27/2016 · Acton Arboretum, Acton, MA
≈ 5 × 3" (12 × 8.4 cm)

6/16/2012 · Brown St., Falmouth, ME
≈ 3½ × 2½" (9.8 × 6.6 cm)

6/16/2012 · Groton Place and Sabine Woods, Groton, MA
≈ 24 × 16" (62 × 41 cm)

4/9/2011 · Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis, MD
≈ 4½ × 3" (11 × 7.9 cm) ID is uncertain

Range:

About this map...