Myosotis arvensis (L.) Hill
Common Forget-Me-Not
Field forget-me-not is a small, hairy annual or short-lived perennial of the borage family, reaching around 40cm. It produces the unmistakable forget-me-not flowers in miniature, grey-blue and saucer-shaped at only 3 to 5mm across, carried in spikes that uncurl from a coiled tip as they open.
About
Field forget-me-not is a small, hairy annual or short-lived perennial of the borage family, reaching around 40cm. It produces the unmistakable forget-me-not flowers in miniature, grey-blue and saucer-shaped at only 3 to 5mm across, carried in spikes that uncurl from a coiled tip as they open. The flowering season is long, from spring well into autumn. The calyx is clothed in tiny hooked hairs, and the dark, shiny nutlets ripen as the stems lengthen. In the British Isles it is regarded as an archaeophyte, an ancient introduction now thoroughly naturalised throughout.
It is common on open, well-drained ground, colonising arable fields, gardens, disturbed soil and waysides in sun or light shade. The flowers are visited by bees and hoverflies. Being unfussy and quick to establish, it suits cornfield annual and disturbed-ground seed mixes, where it threads its soft blue among taller plants.
Also known as
Field Forget-me-not · Field Scorpion-grass · Field Scorpiongrass · Forget-me-not · Rough Forget-me-not
Synonyms
Myosotis arvensis dagestanica · Myosotis arvensis sylvestris · Myosotis intermedia · Myosotis monticola · Myosotis scorpioides arvensis
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.