Forget Me Not
Myosotis arvensis
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Forget-me-not is usually an annual or biennial herb with its success being based on its flexibility. The seeds can lay dormant in the soil until they deem it is a suitable time to sprout for up to thirty years and germinate when conditions become favourable. Forget-me-not’s flowers are pollinated by small flies and hymenopterans, and if needs be the plant can also self-pollinate to ensure its seed production. It is in the Boraginaceae (borage) family.
Distinguishing Features
Forget-me-not flowers are diminutive, delicate and primarily blue in colour. While some flowers are pink and white, these are not as common as blue. They are a common sight in springtime and they tend to grow in "mats".
Flowers
Flowers are 3 to 4 mm wide. Corolla blue, fused, funnel-shaped, 5-lobed, protuberances in throat of tube. Calyx is fused, bell-shaped, lobes narrow; and there are hairs at base. Forget-me-nots have five stamens, and the filaments fused with calyx-tube.
Leaves
The leaves are basal, stalked, and stalk widely winged. Stem leaves are alternate and stalkless. Leaf blade is lanceolate, with entire margin, and both sides are hairy.
Height
Forget-me-nots can grow anywhere between 10 and 40 cm. in height. The stem ascends and is erect, usually branched, round, slightly angular, hair usually growing upwards flush with stem.
Habitat
Fields, gardens, waste ground, meadows, and rocky outcrops. Although they are most common in the northern hemisphere they also are found in New Zealand.
Edible Parts
The flowers are the edible part to this plant. Eat them as a trail snack or use them to decorate cupcakes, toss them in a salad or as a garnish on your dinner plate.
Other Name
Common Forget Me Not.
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