Myosotis scorpioides L.
European forget-me-not (true forget-me-not)
Boraginaceae (Borage family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Jamie Fenneman     (Photo ID #17016)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Myosotis scorpioides
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from fibrous roots, often creeping at the base and frequently stoloniferous as well; stems mostly unbranched, angled, inconspicuously appressed-hairy, 15-60 cm long.
Leaves:
Lower leaves oblanceolate, narrowed at base but scarcely stalked; middle and upper leaves more oblong or elliptic to lance-elliptic; 2.5-8 cm long, 7-20 mm wide, nearly glabrous or with short appressed hairs, entire, alternate.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of lax, coiled, narrow, elongating, bractless, terminal clusters, not much longer than leafy part of stem; fruiting stalks spreading, 1-2 times as long as calyces; petals sky-blue, rarely white, fused at base into a tube that spreads flat (4-10 mm wide) at top to 5 lobes, with 5 bulges at the throat; fruiting calyces 3-5 mm long, closely appressed-hairy.
Fruits:
Nutlets 4, clustered together, narrowly egg-shaped, 2-2.5 mm long, blackish, smooth, shining.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

USDA Species Characteristics

Flower Colour:
Blue
Blooming Period:
Mid Spring
Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Brown
Present from Spring to Summer
Source:  The USDA

Habitat and Range

Moist to wet meadows, ditches, pond margins and swamps in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; frequent in S BC; introduced from Europe.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Myosotis palustris (L.) Hill