# Myosotis

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Genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae

For muscle inflammation, see [Myositis](/source/Myositis).

"Forget me not" redirects here. For other uses, see [Forget me not (disambiguation)](/source/Forget_me_not_(disambiguation)).

Myosotis Myosotis arvensis Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Embryophytes Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Spermatophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Asterids Order: Boraginales Family: Boraginaceae Subfamily: Boraginoideae Genus: Myosotis L. (1753) Type species Myosotis scorpioides L. [1] Synonyms[2] Echioides Moench (1794), nom. illeg. Exarrhena R.Br. (1810) Gymnomyosotis (A.DC.) O.D.Nikif. (2000) Scorpioides Gilib. (1782), not validly publ. Scorpiurus Haller (1768), nom. superfl. Strophiostoma Turcz. (1840)

***Myosotis*** ([/ˌmaɪəˈsoʊtɪs/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*MY-ə-SOH-tiss*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key)[3]) is a [genus](/source/Genus) of flowering plants in the borage family [Boraginaceae](/source/Boraginaceae). In the Northern Hemisphere, they are colloquially known as **forget-me-nots** or **scorpion grasses**.[4] The forget-me-not is the official flower of [Alaska](/source/Alaska).[5]

The name comes from the [Ancient Greek](/source/Ancient_Greek) μυοσωτίς (*myosōtis)* "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble.[6] The genus is not to be confused with the related [Chatham Islands](/source/Chatham_Islands) species *[Myosotidium](/source/Myosotidium)* *hortensia*.

## Description

The genus was originally described by [Carl Linnaeus](/source/Carl_Linnaeus). The [type species](/source/Type_species) is *[Myosotis scorpioides](/source/Myosotis_scorpioides)*. *Myosotis* species are [annual](/source/Annual_plant) or [perennial](/source/Perennial_plant), herbaceous, [flowering plants](/source/Flowering_plant) with [pentamerous](/source/Pentamerous) [actinomorphic](/source/Actinomorphic) flowers.[6]

Their foliage is alternate, and their [roots](/source/Root) are generally diffuse. They typically flower in spring or soon after the melting of snow in alpine ecosystems.

Flowers are borne on [scorpioid cymes](/source/Inflorescence#Determinate); they are flatly faced, with a typical diameter of 1 cm (1⁄2 in) or less; they are coloured typically blue, but sometimes pink, white or yellow. Its centre consists of five anthers each on filaments fused to the petals, they are surrounded by yellow bumps called "fornices".[7]

*[Myosotis sylvatica](/source/Myosotis_sylvatica)*

The [seeds](/source/Seed) 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](/source/Germination) elsewhere. Seeds can be collected by placing a sheet of paper under stems and shaking the seed pods onto the paper.

*[Myosotis scorpioides](/source/Myosotis_scorpioides)* is colloquially called scorpion grass because of the spiraling curvature of its inflorescence.[6]

## Distribution

The genus is largely restricted to western Eurasia, with over 60 confirmed species,[8] and [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand) with around 40 endemic species.[9] A few species occur elsewhere, including North America, South America, and [Papua New Guinea](/source/Papua_New_Guinea).[10] Despite this, *Myosotis* species are now common throughout temperate latitudes because of the introduction of [cultivars](/source/Cultivar) and alien species. Many are popular in [horticulture](/source/Horticulture). They prefer moist habitats. In locales where they are not native, they frequently escape to [wetlands](/source/Wetland) and riverbanks.

One or two European species, especially *[Myosotis sylvatica](/source/Myosotis_sylvatica)*, the "woodland" forget-me-not, have been [introduced](/source/Introduced_species) into most of the [temperate](/source/Temperate) regions of Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

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.[10][11]

## Ecology

Hover fly (*[Sphaerophoria scripta](/source/Sphaerophoria_scripta)*) feeding on a *Myosotis* flower

*Myosotis* species are food for the [larvae](/source/Larva) of some [Lepidoptera](/source/Lepidoptera) species, including the [setaceous Hebrew character](/source/Setaceous_Hebrew_character). Many of the species in New Zealand are threatened.[12]

## Taxonomy

Woodland forget-me-not (*[Myosotis sylvatica](/source/Myosotis_sylvatica)*)

Of more than 510 recorded species names, only 156 [species](/source/Species) are presently accepted, listed below.[2] The remainder are either synonyms or hybrids of presently accepted or proposed names.[2][13]

- *[Myosotis abyssinica](/source/Myosotis_abyssinica)* [Boiss.](/source/Boiss.) & [Reut.](/source/Reut.)

- *[Myosotis afropalustris](/source/Myosotis_afropalustris)* C.H. Wright

- *[Myosotis albicans](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_albicans&action=edit&redlink=1)* Riedl

- *[Myosotis albiflora](/source/Myosotis_albiflora)* [Banks](/source/Joseph_Banks) & [Sol.](/source/Sol.) ex [Hook.f.](/source/Hook.f.)

- *[Myosotis albosericea](/source/Myosotis_albosericea)* [Hook.f.](/source/Hook.f.)

- *[Myosotis alpestris](/source/Myosotis_alpestris)* [F.W.Schmidt](/source/F.W.Schmidt) (alpine forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis amabilis](/source/Myosotis_amabilis)* [Cheeseman](/source/Thomas_Frederic_Cheeseman)

- *[Myosotis ambigens](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_ambigens&action=edit&redlink=1)* ([Bég.](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=B%C3%A9g.&action=edit&redlink=1)) [Grau](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alfredo_Grau&action=edit&redlink=1)

- *[Myosotis angustata](/source/Myosotis_angustata)* Cheeseman

- *[Myosotis anomala](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_anomala&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Riedl](/source/Harald_Udo_von_Riedl)

- *[Myosotis antarctica](/source/Myosotis_antarctica)* Hook.f.

- *[Myosotis arnoldii](/source/Myosotis_arnoldii)* [L.B.Moore](/source/L.B.Moore)

- *[Myosotis arvensis](/source/Myosotis_arvensis)* [(L.)](/source/Carl_Linnaeus) [Hill](/source/John_Hill_(botanist)) (field forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis asiatica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_asiatica&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Vestergr. *ex* Hultén) Schischk. & [Serg.](/source/Lidia_Palladievna_Sergievskaya) (Asiatic forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis atlantica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_atlantica&action=edit&redlink=1)* Vestergr.

- *[Myosotis australis](/source/Myosotis_australis)* [R.Br.](/source/Robert_Brown_(botanist%2C_born_1773))

- *[Myosotis austrosibirica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_austrosibirica&action=edit&redlink=1)* O.D.Nikif.

- *[Myosotis azorica](/source/Myosotis_azorica)* H.C.Watson (Azores forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis baicalensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_baicalensis&action=edit&redlink=1)* O.D.Nikif.

- *[Myosotis balbisiana](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_balbisiana&action=edit&redlink=1)* Jord.

- *[Myosotis × bohemica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_%C3%97_bohemica&action=edit&redlink=1)* Domin

- *[Myosotis × bollandica](/source/Myosotis_%C3%97_bollandica)* P.Jeps.

- *[Myosotis bothriospermoides](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_bothriospermoides&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Kitag.](/source/Masao_Kitagawa)

- *[Myosotis brachypoda](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_brachypoda&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Gren.](/source/Jean_Charles_Marie_Grenier)

- *[Myosotis brevis](/source/Myosotis_brevis)* [de Lange](/source/Peter_James_de_Lange) & Barkla

- *[Myosotis brockiei](/source/Myosotis_brockiei)* [L.B.Moore](/source/L.B.Moore) & M.J.A.Simpson

- *[Myosotis bryonoma](/source/Myosotis_bryonoma)* Meudt, Prebble & Thorsen

- *[Myosotis butorinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_butorinae&action=edit&redlink=1)* Stepanov

- *[Myosotis × cadevallii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_%C3%97_cadevallii&action=edit&redlink=1)* Sennen

- *[Myosotis cadmea](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_cadmea&action=edit&redlink=1)* Kitag

- *[Myosotis cameroonensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_cameroonensis&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Cheek](/source/Martin_Cheek) & R.Becker

- *[Myosotis capitata](/source/Myosotis_capitata)* [Hook.f.](/source/Hook.f.)

- *[Myosotis chaffeyorum](/source/Myosotis_chaffeyorum)* [Lehnebach](/source/Carlos_Adolfo_Lehnebach)

- *[Myosotis chakassica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_chakassica&action=edit&redlink=1)* O.D.Nikif.

- *[Myosotis cheesemanii](/source/Myosotis_cheesemanii)* [Petrie](/source/Donald_Petrie_(botanist))

- *[Myosotis × cinerascens](/source/Myosotis_%C3%97_cinerascens)* Petrie

- *[Myosotis colensoi](/source/Myosotis_colensoi)* ([Kirk](/source/Thomas_Kirk_(botanist))) [J.F.Macbr.](/source/J.F.Macbr.)

- *[Myosotis concinna](/source/Myosotis_concinna)* Cheeseman

- *[Myosotis congesta](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_congesta&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Shuttlew.](/source/Robert_James_Shuttleworth)

- *[Myosotis corsicana](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_corsicana&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Fiori) Grau

- *[Myosotis czekanowskii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_czekanowskii&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Trautv.) Kamelin & V.N.Tikhom.

- *[Myosotis daralaghezica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_daralaghezica&action=edit&redlink=1)* T.N.Popova

- *[Myosotis debilis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_debilis&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Pomel](/source/Auguste_Pomel)

- *[Myosotis decumbens](/source/Myosotis_decumbens)* Host

- *[Myosotis densiflora](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_densiflora&action=edit&redlink=1)* K.Koch

- *[Myosotis diminuta](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_diminuta&action=edit&redlink=1)* Grau

- *[Myosotis discolor](/source/Myosotis_discolor)* [Pers.](/source/Christiaan_Hendrik_Persoon) (changing forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis densiflora](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_densiflora&action=edit&redlink=1)* C. Koch

- *[Myosotis dissitiflora](/source/Myosotis_dissitiflora)* Baker

- *[Myosotis dubia](/source/Myosotis_dubia)* Arrond.

- *[Myosotis ergakensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_ergakensis&action=edit&redlink=1)* Stepanov

- *[Myosotis exarrhena](/source/Myosotis_exarrhena)* [F. Muell.](/source/Ferdinand_von_Mueller)

- *[Myosotis eximia](/source/Myosotis_eximia)* Petrie

- *[Myosotis explanata](/source/Myosotis_explanata)* Cheeseman

- *[Myosotis forsteri](/source/Myosotis_forsteri)* [Lehm.](/source/Johann_Georg_Christian_Lehmann)

- *[Myosotis gallica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_gallica&action=edit&redlink=1)* Vestergr.

- *[Myosotis galpinii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_galpinii&action=edit&redlink=1)* [C.H.Wright](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_Henry_Wright&action=edit&redlink=1)

- *[Myosotis glabrescens](/source/Myosotis_glabrescens)* [L.B.Moore](/source/L.B.Moore)

- *[Myosotis glauca](/source/Myosotis_glauca)* ([G.Simpson](/source/George_Simpson_(botanist)) & J.S.Thomson) [de Lange](/source/Peter_James_de_Lange) & Barkla

- *[Myosotis goyenii](/source/Myosotis_goyenii)* Petrie

- *[Myosotis graminifolia](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_graminifolia&action=edit&redlink=1)* DC.

- *[Myosotis graui](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_graui&action=edit&redlink=1)* Selvi

- *[Myosotis guneri](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_guneri&action=edit&redlink=1)* A.P.Khokhr.

- *[Myosotis heteropoda](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_heteropoda&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Trautv.](/source/Ernst_Rudolf_von_Trautvetter)

- *[Myosotis hikuwai](/source/Myosotis_hikuwai)* Meudt, Prebble & G.M.Rogers

- *[Myosotis imitata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_imitata&action=edit&redlink=1)* Serg.

- *[Myosotis incrassata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_incrassata&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Guss.](/source/Giovanni_Gussone)

- *[Myosotis jenissejensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_jenissejensis&action=edit&redlink=1)* O.D.Nikif.

- *[Myosotis jordanovii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_jordanovii&action=edit&redlink=1)* N.Andreev & Peev

- *[Myosotis × kablikiana](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_%C3%97_kablikiana&action=edit&redlink=1)* Domin

- *[Myosotis kamelinii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_kamelinii&action=edit&redlink=1)* O.D.Nikif.

- *[Myosotis kazakhstanica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_kazakhstanica&action=edit&redlink=1)* O.D.Nikif.

- *[Myosotis kebeshensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_kebeshensis&action=edit&redlink=1)* Stepanov

- *[Myosotis keniensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_keniensis&action=edit&redlink=1)* T.C.E.Fr.

- *[Myosotis koelzii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_koelzii&action=edit&redlink=1)* Riedl

- *[Myosotis kolakovskyi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_kolakovskyi&action=edit&redlink=1)* A.P.Khokhr.

- *[Myosotis × krajinae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_%C3%97_krajinae&action=edit&redlink=1)* Domin

- *[Myosotis krasnoborovii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_krasnoborovii&action=edit&redlink=1)* O.D.Nikif. & Lomon.

- *[Myosotis krylovii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_krylovii&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Serg.](/source/Lidia_Palladievna_Sergievskaya)

- *[Myosotis kurdica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_kurdica&action=edit&redlink=1)* Riedl

- *[Myosotis laeta](/source/Myosotis_laeta)* Cheeseman

- *[Myosotis laingii](/source/Myosotis_laingii)* Cheeseman

- *[Myosotis latifolia](/source/Myosotis_latifolia)* [Poir.](/source/Poir.) (broadleaf forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis laxa](/source/Myosotis_laxa)* Lehm. (tufted forget-me-not or bay forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis lazica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_lazica&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Popov](/source/Mikhail_Grigor%C3%ADevi%C4%8D_Popov)

- *[Myosotis lithospermifolia](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_lithospermifolia&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Hornem.](/source/Jens_Wilken_Hornemann)

- *[Myosotis lithuanica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_lithuanica&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Schmalh.) Besser ex Dobrocz.

- *[Myosotis litoralis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_litoralis&action=edit&redlink=1)* Steven ex M.Bieb.

- *[Myosotis ludomilae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_ludomilae&action=edit&redlink=1)* Zaver.

- *[Myosotis lyallii](/source/Myosotis_lyallii)* Hook.f.

- *[Myosotis macrantha](/source/Myosotis_macrantha)* (Hook.f.) [Benth.](/source/George_Bentham) & Hook.f. (bronze forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis macrosiphon](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_macrosiphon&action=edit&redlink=1)* Font Quer & Maire

- *[Myosotis macrosperma](/source/Myosotis_macrosperma)* [Engelm.](/source/George_Engelmann) (largeseed forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis magniflora](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_magniflora&action=edit&redlink=1)* A.P.Khokhr.

- *[Myosotis margaritae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_margaritae&action=edit&redlink=1)* Štěpánková

- *[Myosotis maritima](/source/Myosotis_maritima)* Hochst. ex Seub.

- *[Myosotis martini](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_martini&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Sennen](/source/Fr%C3%A8re_Sennen)

- *[Myosotis matthewsii](/source/Myosotis_matthewsii)* [L.B.Moore](/source/L.B.Moore)

- *[Myosotis michaelae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_michaelae&action=edit&redlink=1)* Štěpánková

- *[Myosotis micrantha](/source/Myosotis_micrantha)* Pall. ex Lehm.

- *[Myosotis minutiflora](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_minutiflora&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Boiss.](/source/Boiss.) & [Reut.](/source/Reut.)

- *[Myosotis monroi](/source/Myosotis_monroi)* Cheeseman (Monro's forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis nemorosa](/source/Myosotis_nemorosa)* [Besser](/source/Wilibald_Swibert_Joseph_Gottlieb_von_Besser)

- *[Myosotis nikiforovae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_nikiforovae&action=edit&redlink=1)* Stepanov

- *[Myosotis ochotensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_ochotensis&action=edit&redlink=1)* O.D.Nikif.

- *[Myosotis olympica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_olympica&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Boiss.](/source/Pierre_Edmond_Boissier)

- *[Myosotis oreophila](/source/Myosotis_oreophila)* Petrie

- *[Myosotis pansa](/source/Myosotis_pansa)* ([L.B.Moore](/source/L.B.Moore)) Meudt, Prebble, R.J.Stanley & Thorsen

- *[Myosotis × parviflora](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_%C3%97_parviflora&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Schur) Domin

- *[Myosotis paucipilosa](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_paucipilosa&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Grau) Ristow & Hand

- *[Myosotis × permixta](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_%C3%97_permixta&action=edit&redlink=1)* Domin

- *[Myosotis persoonii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_persoonii&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Georges RouyRouy](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Georges_RouyRouy&action=edit&redlink=1) & [E.G.Camus](/source/Edmond_Gustave_Camus)

- *[Myosotis petiolata](/source/Myosotis_petiolata)* Hook.f.

- *[Myosotis platyphylla](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_platyphylla&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Boiss.](/source/Pierre_Edmond_Boissier)

- *[Myosotis popovii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_popovii&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Dobrocz.](/source/Dariya_Nikitichna_Dobroczajeva)

- *[Myosotis pospelovae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_pospelovae&action=edit&redlink=1)* O.D.Nikif.

- *[Myosotis pottsiana](/source/Myosotis_pottsiana)* ([L.B.Moore](/source/L.B.Moore)) Meudt, Prebble, R.J.Stanley & Thorsen

- *[Myosotis propinqua](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_propinqua&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Turcz.) Fisch. & C.A.Mey.

- *[Myosotis × pseudohispida](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_%C3%97_pseudohispida&action=edit&redlink=1)* Domin

- *[Myosotis pulvinaris](/source/Myosotis_pulvinaris)* [Hook.f.](/source/Hook.f.) (cushion forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis pusilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_pusilla&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Loisel.](/source/Jean-Louis-Auguste_Loiseleur-Deslongchamps)

- *[Myosotis radix-palaris](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_radix-palaris&action=edit&redlink=1)* A.P.Khokhr.

- *[Myosotis rakiura](/source/Myosotis_rakiura)* [L.B.Moore](/source/L.B.Moore)

- *[Myosotis ramosissima](/source/Myosotis_ramosissima)* Rochel (early forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis refracta](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_refracta&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Boiss.](/source/Pierre_Edmond_Boissier)

- *[Myosotis rehsteineri](/source/Myosotis_rehsteineri)* (Hausm.) Wartm. ex Reut.

- *[Myosotis retrorsa](/source/Myosotis_retrorsa)* Meudt, Prebble & Hindmarsh-Walls

- *[Myosotis rivularis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_rivularis&action=edit&redlink=1)* (Vestergr.) A.P. Khokhr

- *[Myosotis robusta](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_robusta&action=edit&redlink=1)* [D.Don](/source/David_Don)

- *[Myosotis sajanensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_sajanensis&action=edit&redlink=1)* O.D.Nikif.

- *[Myosotis saxatilis](/source/Myosotis_saxatilis)* Petrie

- *[Myosotis saxosa](/source/Myosotis_saxosa)* Hook.f.

- *[Myosotis schistosa](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_schistosa&action=edit&redlink=1)* A.P.Khokhr.

- *[Myosotis schmakovii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_schmakovii&action=edit&redlink=1)* O.D.Nikif.

- *[Myosotis scorpioides](/source/Myosotis_scorpioides)* (L.) (true forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis secunda](/source/Myosotis_secunda)* Al.Murray (creeping forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis semiamplexicaulis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_semiamplexicaulis&action=edit&redlink=1)* [DC.](/source/Augustin_Pyramus_de_Candolle)

- *[Myosotis sicula](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_sicula&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Guss.](/source/Giovanni_Gussone) (Jersey forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis solange](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_solange&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Greuter](/source/Werner_Rodolfo_Greuter) & Zaffran

- *[Myosotis soleirolii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_soleirolii&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Godr.](/source/Dominique_Alexandre_Godron)

- *[Myosotis sparsiflora](/source/Myosotis_sparsiflora)* [J.C.Mikan](/source/Johann_Christian_Mikan) *ex* [Pohl](/source/Johann_Baptist_Emanuel_Pohl)

- *[Myosotis spatulata](/source/Myosotis_spatulata)* [G.Forst.](/source/Georg_Forster)

- *[Myosotis speciosa](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_speciosa&action=edit&redlink=1)* Pomel

- *[Myosotis speluncicola](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_speluncicola&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Schott](/source/Heinrich_Wilhelm_Schott) *ex* Boiss.

- *[Myosotis stenophylla](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_stenophylla&action=edit&redlink=1)* Knaf

- *[Myosotis stolonifera](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_stolonifera&action=edit&redlink=1)* ([J.Gay](/source/Jacques_Etienne_Gay) ex DC.) J.Gay ex Leresche & Levier

- *[Myosotis stricta](/source/Myosotis_stricta)* [Link](/source/Johann_Heinrich_Friedrich_Link) *ex* [Roem.](/source/Roem.) & [Schult.](/source/Schult.)

- *[Myosotis suavis](/source/Myosotis_suavis)* Petrie]

- *[Myosotis subcordata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_subcordata&action=edit&redlink=1)* Riedl

- *[Myosotis × suzae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_%C3%97_suzae&action=edit&redlink=1)* Domin

- *[Myosotis sylvatica](/source/Myosotis_sylvatica)* [Ehrh.](/source/Ehrh.) *ex* [Hoffm.](/source/Georg_Franz_Hoffmann) (wood forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis taverae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_taverae&action=edit&redlink=1)* Valdés

- *[Myosotis tenericaulis](/source/Myosotis_tenericaulis)* Petrie

- *[Myosotis tineoi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_tineoi&action=edit&redlink=1)* C.Brullo & [Brullo](/source/Salvatore_Brullo)

- *[Myosotis traversii](/source/Myosotis_traversii)* Hook.f.

- *[Myosotis tuxeniana](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_tuxeniana&action=edit&redlink=1)* ([O.Bolòs](/source/Oriol_de_Bol%C3%B2s) & Vigo) O.Bolòs & Vigo

- *[Myosotis ucrainica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_ucrainica&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Czern.](/source/Vassilii_Matveievitch_Czernajew)

- *[Myosotis ultramafica](/source/Myosotis_ultramafica)* Meudt, Prebble & Rance

- *[Myosotis umbrosa](/source/Myosotis_umbrosa)* Meudt, Prebble & Thorsen

- *[Myosotis uniflora](/source/Myosotis_uniflora)* [Hook.f.](/source/Hook.f.)

- *[Myosotis urceolaris](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_urceolaris&action=edit&redlink=1)* [Shuttlew.](/source/Robert_James_Shuttleworth)

- *[Myosotis venosa](/source/Myosotis_venosa)* [Colenso](/source/William_Colenso)

- *[Myosotis venticola](/source/Myosotis_venticola)* Meudt & Prebble

- *[Myosotis verchojanica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_verchojanica&action=edit&redlink=1)* O.D.Nikif.

- *[Myosotis verna](/source/Myosotis_verna)* [Nutt.](/source/Nutt.) (spring forget-me-not)

- *[Myosotis vestergrenii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_vestergrenii&action=edit&redlink=1)* Stroh

- *[Myosotis welwitschii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_welwitschii&action=edit&redlink=1)* Boiss. & Reut.

- *[Myosotis wumengensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myosotis_wumengensis&action=edit&redlink=1)* L.Wei

## Gallery

		- *[Myosotis scorpioides](/source/Myosotis_scorpioides)*

		- *[Myosotis eximia](/source/Myosotis_eximia)*

		- *[Myosotis colensoi](/source/Myosotis_colensoi)*

		- *[Myosotis pulvinaris](/source/Myosotis_pulvinaris)*

		- *[Myosotis pansa](/source/Myosotis_pansa)*

		- *Myosotis sylvatica*

		- *[Myosotis alpestris](/source/Myosotis_alpestris)*

## Symbolism

The small, blue forget-me-not flower was first used by the [Grand Lodge](/source/Grand_Lodge) *Zur Sonne*, in 1926, as a Masonic emblem at the annual convention in [Bremen](/source/Bremen), [Germany](/source/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](/source/Winterhilfswerk)*, the annual charity drive of the [National Socialist People's Welfare](/source/National_Socialist_People's_Welfare), the welfare branch of the Nazi party. This coincidence enabled [Freemasons](/source/Freemasonry) to wear the forget-me-not badge as a secret sign of membership.[14][15]

After [World War II](/source/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](/source/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.[16]

The flower is also used as a symbol of remembrance by the people of [Newfoundland and Labrador](/source/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.[17]

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](/source/Remembrance_poppies) in the UK.[18]

The flower is also the symbol for the [Armenian genocide's 100th anniversary](/source/100th_anniversary_of_the_Armenian_Genocide). 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 five purple petals symbolise the future, and the five continents to which Armenians escaped. The yellow in the centre symbolises eternity, and the [Tsitsernakaberd](/source/Tsitsernakaberd) itself symbolises the 12 provinces lost to Turkey.[19]

In [Lithuania](/source/Lithuania), the flower has become one of the symbols for the commemoration of the [January events](/source/January_Events_(Lithuania)) of 1991.[20]

In the Netherlands, the forget-me-not has become a symbol for Alzheimer Nederland, a foundation advocating for people suffering from [dementia](/source/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.[21]

In the United Kingdom, many health settings make use of the forget-me-not as a symbol to highlight that someone has dementia; it may be placed on notes, bedsides or patient boards.[22] Also in the United Kingdom, the forget-me-not is the symbol of the [Alzheimer's Society](/source/Alzheimer's_Society).[23]

In the history of art, the forget-me-not is used to remember loved ones who have died, and so is very common in funerary portraits.

Since the [Medieval period](/source/Middle_Ages) it has become a symbol of everlasting love and devotion. There is a German legend set as an origin story behind the name "Forget-Me-Not". In the legend, a knight was walking with his lady near the [Danube River](/source/Danube) and decided to pick blue flowers for her. While picking the flowers he fell in the river and was swept away. He tossed the flowers to his lady and his last words to her were "Forget-me-not!".[24]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Lehnebach, C.](/source/Carlos_Adolfo_Lehnebach) (2012). ["Lectotypification of three species of forget-me-nots (*Myosotis*: Boraginaceae) from Australasia"](http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/publication.aspx?irn=3733). *[Tuhinga](/source/Te_Papa)*. **23**: 17–28.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-powo_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-powo_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-powo_2-2) ["*Myosotis* L."](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30010296-2) *Plants of the World Online*. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 1 September 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Myosotis"](https://www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?q=Myosotis). *[Oxford English Dictionary](/source/Oxford_English_Dictionary)* (online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or [participating institution membership](https://www.oed.com/public/login/loggingin#withyourlibrary) required.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Water forget-me-not"](https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/water-forget-me-not). *The Wildlife Trusts*. Retrieved 30 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Alaska Kid's Corner"](https://alaska.gov/kids/student.htm). State of Alaska. Retrieved 21 May 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EB1911_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EB1911_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-EB1911_6-2) [Chisholm, Hugh](/source/Hugh_Chisholm), ed. (1911). ["Forget-me-not"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Forget-me-not). *[Encyclopædia Britannica](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica_Eleventh_Edition)*. Vol. 10 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 663.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Johnston, Brian (June 2005). ["A Close-up View of Two Forget-Me-Nots: "Field" and "True" (Myosotis stricta and Myosotis scorpioides)"](http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artjun05/bjforgetmenot.html). *Micscape*. Microscopy UK.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Name > I - N > Myosotis - Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens"](https://www.bethchatto.co.uk/a-z/i-n/myosotis/). *www.bethchatto.co.uk*. Retrieved 27 May 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Flora of New Zealand | Taxon Profile | Myosotis"](http://www.nzflora.info/factsheet/Taxon/Myosotis.html). *www.nzflora.info*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Winkworth_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Winkworth_10-1) Winkworth, Richard C.; Grau, Jürke; Robertson, Alastair W.; Lockhart, Peter J. (2002). ["The Origins and Evolution of the Genus *Myosotis* L. (Boraginaceae)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061849/http://phylodiversity.net/rwinkworth/publications/files/3.pdf) (PDF). *[Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution](/source/Molecular_Phylogenetics_and_Evolution)*. **24** (2): 180–93. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2002MolPE..24..180W](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2002MolPE..24..180W). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/S1055-7903(02)00210-5](https://doi.org/10.1016%2FS1055-7903%2802%2900210-5). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [12144755](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12144755). Archived from the original on 23 October 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Meudt, Heidi M.; Prebble, Jessica M.; Lehnebach, Carlos A. (7 November 2014). "Native New Zealand forget-me-nots (Myosotis, Boraginaceae) comprise a Pleistocene species radiation with very low genetic divergence". *Plant Systematics and Evolution*. **301** (5): 1455–1471. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/s00606-014-1166-x](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs00606-014-1166-x). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0378-2697](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0378-2697). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [14686750](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:14686750).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Lehnebach, Carlos A.](/source/Carlos_Adolfo_Lehnebach) (21 August 2012). ["Two new species of forget-me-nots (*Myosotis, Boraginaceae*) from New Zealand"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3492931). *[PhytoKeys](/source/PhytoKeys)* (16): 53–64. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2012PhytK..16...53L](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012PhytK..16...53L). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3897/phytokeys.16.3602](https://doi.org/10.3897%2Fphytokeys.16.3602). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [3492931](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3492931). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [23233811](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23233811).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Home"](http://www.worldfloraonline.org/). *www.worldfloraonline.org*. Retrieved 24 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Das Vergissmeinnicht-Abzeichen und die Freimaurerei"](http://www.internetloge.de/arst/forgetd.htm). *www.internetloge.de* (in German). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190502130221/http://www.internetloge.de/arst/forgetd.htm) from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Bernheim, Alain. [""The Blue Forget-Me-Not": Another Side of the Story"](http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/bernheim3.html). *Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190130081218/http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/bernheim3.html) from the original on 30 January 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["The Story Behind Forget Me Not Emblem!"](https://www.masonicnetwork.org/blog/2009/the-story-behind-forget-me-not-emblem/). *Masonic Network Blog*. 11 December 2009. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190404181931/https://www.masonicnetwork.org/blog/2009/the-story-behind-forget-me-not-emblem/) from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Forget-me-nots - remembering the Newfoundlanders at Beaumont-Hamel"](https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/information-for/educators/learning-modules/beaumont-hamel/forget-me-not/story). *[Veterans Affairs Canada](/source/Veterans_Affairs_Canada)*. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["UNFORGETTABLE: A Masonic Symbol In Bloom"](https://californiafreemason.org/2024/03/27/unforgettable/#:~:text=(The%20flower%20itself%20has%20long,their%20life%20in%20the%20war.). *California Freemason*. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Հայոց ցեղասպանության 100-րդ տարելիցի խորհրդանիշը անմոռուկ ծաղիկն է, կարգախոսը՝ "Հիշում եմ և պահանջում""](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/763343/hayoc-cexaspanutyan-100-rd-tarelici-khorhrdanishy-anmoruk.html). *www.armenpress.am* (in Armenian). Armenpress. 26 May 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140528102523/https://armenpress.am/arm/news/763343/hayoc-cexaspanutyan-100-rd-tarelici-khorhrdanishy-anmoruk.html) from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Flower of discord: Lithuanian politicians clash over forget-me-not symbol"](https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1139258/flower-of-discord-lithuanian-politicians-clash-over-forget-me-not-symbol). *lrt.lt*. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Home"](https://alzheimers.org.nz/). *Alzheimers New Zealand*. Retrieved 15 June 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Forget me not – dementia help in Hospitals"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-20547386). *BBC News*. Retrieved 19 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["About the Forget me not Appeal | Alzheimer's Society"](https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/forget-me-not-appeal/about). *www.alzheimers.org.uk*. Retrieved 30 June 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Fairfax Gardening. ["Forget-Me-Not: A Flower Filled with Symbolism and Lore"](https://www.fairfaxgardening.org/wp-content/webdocs/pdf/ForgetMeNots.pdf) (PDF). *www.fairfaxgardening.org*.

Taxon identifiers Myosotis Wikidata: Q147149 Wikispecies: Myosotis APDB: 192824 APNI: 107226 CoL: 5WFW eFloraSA: Myosotis EoL: 40769 EPPO: 1MYOG FloraBase: 21980 FNA: 121429 FoC: 121429 FoIO: myosotis GBIF: 2925668 GRIN: 7900 iNaturalist: 49131 IPNI: 4695-1 ITIS: 31687 NBN: NHMSYS0000460809 NCBI: 192333 NZOR: 48b170d0-2d00-413f-a97f-6e987fd980d9 Open Tree of Life: 82995 Panarctic Flora: 8305 PLANTS: MYOSO POWO: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30010296-2 Tropicos: 40024200 VASCAN: 1444 VicFlora: b4f129a1-30a6-4bae-b857-fa8c443a5250 WFO: wfo-4000025092 WoRMS: 993753

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Myosotis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myosotis) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myosotis?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.