FORGET-ME-NOT

Myosotis (from the Greek: "mouse's ear", after the leaf) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae (or Cynoglossum family). In the northern hemisphere they are commonly called forget-me-nots or scorpion grasses.

There are currently 74 accepted species in the genus although some 503 species names have been recorded, many of which are synonyms of currently accepted names and others are awaiting resolution. The genus is largely restricted to two discrete geographic centres - western Eurasia with about 60 confirmed species and New Zealand with around 40 confirmed species. Very small numbers of species occur elsewhere including North America, South America and Papua New Guinea. Myosotis species are now common throughout temperate latitudes through the planting of cultivars and introductions of alien species.

Myosotis have pentamerous actinomorphic flowers with 5 sepals and petals. Flowers are typically 1 cm diameter or less, flat, and blue, pink,white or yellow with yellow centres, growing on scorpioid cymes. They may be annual or perennial with alternate leaves. They typically flower in spring or soon after snow-melt in alpines eco-systems. Their seeds are found 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. Myosotis scorpioides is also known as scorpion grass due to the spiralling curve of its inflorescence. Myosotis alpestris is the state flower of Alaska.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.