Myosotis

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Myosotis
Myosotis arvensis ois.JPG
Myosotis arvensis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Subfamily: Boraginoideae
Genus: Myosotis
L. (1753)
Type species
Myosotis scorpioides
L.  [1]
Synonyms [2]
  • EchioidesMoench (1794), nom. illeg.
  • ExarrhenaR.Br. (1810)
  • Gymnomyosotis(A.DC.) O.D.Nikif. (2000)
  • ScorpioidesGilib. (1782), not validly publ.
  • ScorpiurusHaller (1768), nom. superfl.
  • StrophiostomaTurcz. (1840)

Myosotis ( /ˌmaɪəˈsoʊtɪs/ MY-ə-SOH-tiss [3] ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. The name comes from the Ancient Greek μυοσωτίς "mouse's ear", which the foliage is thought to resemble. [4] In the Northern Hemisphere, they are colloquially known as forget-me-nots or scorpion grasses. [5] Myosotis alpestris is the official flower of Alaska [6] and Dalsland, Sweden. Plants of the genus are not to be confused with Chatham Islands' forget-me-nots, which belong to the related genus Myosotidium .

Contents

Description

The genus was originally described by Carl Linnaeus. The type species is Myosotis scorpioides . Myosotis species are annual or perennial, herbaceous, flowering plants with pentamerous actinomorphic flowers with five sepals and petals. [4] Flowers are typically 1 cm (½") in diameter or less, flatly faced, coloured typically blue, but sometimes pink, white or yellow with yellow centres and borne on scorpioid cymes. Their foliage is alternate, and their roots are generally diffuse. They typically flower in spring or soon after the melting of snow in alpine ecosystems.

Myosotis sylvatica Wald Vergissmeinnicht.jpg
Myosotis sylvatica

The seeds 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 elsewhere. Seeds can be collected by placing a sheet of paper under stems and shaking the seed pods onto the paper.

Myosotis scorpioides is colloquially called scorpion grass because of the spiraling curvature of its inflorescence. [4]

Distribution

The genus is largely restricted to western Eurasia, with over 60 confirmed species, [7] and New Zealand with around 40 endemic species. [8] A few species occur elsewhere, including North America, South America, and Papua New Guinea. [9] Despite this, Myosotis species are now common throughout temperate latitudes because of the introduction of cultivars and alien species. Many are popular in horticulture. They prefer moist habitats. In locales where they are not native, they frequently escape to wetlands and riverbanks.

One or two European species, especially Myosotis sylvatica , the "woodland" forget-me-not, have been introduced into most of the 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. [9] [10]

Ecology

Hover fly (Sphaerophoria scripta) feeding on a Myosotis flower Hover Fly feeding on forget-me-not flower 2.jpg
Hover fly ( Sphaerophoria scripta ) feeding on a Myosotis flower

Myosotis species are food for the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including the setaceous Hebrew character. Many of the species in New Zealand are threatened. [11]

Taxonomy

Of more than 510 recorded species names, only 156 species are presently accepted, listed below. [2] The remainder are either synonyms or hybrids of presently accepted or proposed names. [2] [12]

Symbolism

The small, blue forget-me-not flower was first used by the Grand Lodge Zur Sonne, in 1926, as a Masonic emblem at the annual convention in Bremen, 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 , the annual charity drive of the National Socialist People's Welfare, the welfare branch of the Nazi party. This coincidence enabled Freemasons to wear the forget-me-not badge as a secret sign of membership. [13] [ better source needed ] [14]

After 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. 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. [15]

The flower is also used as a symbol of remembrance by the people of 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.[ citation needed ]

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 in the UK.[ citation needed ]

The flower is also the symbol for the Armenian genocide's 100th anniversary. 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 itself symbolises the 12 provinces lost to Turkey. [16]

In Lithuania, the flower has become one of the symbols for the commemoration of the January events of 1991. [17]

In the Netherlands, the forget-me-not has become a symbol for Alzheimer Nederland, a foundation advocating for people suffering from 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. [18]

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. [19] Also in the United Kingdom, the forget-me-not is the symbol of the Alzheimer's Society. [20]

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 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 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!". [21]

Related Research Articles

<i>Myosotis pansa <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> pansa</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis pansa subsp. pansa, also known as the Waitakere forget-me-not, is a subspecies of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. Lucy Moore described the variety M. petiolata var. pansa in 1961, and it was transferred to a subspecies of M. pansa by Heidi Meudt, Jessica Prebble, Rebecca Stanley and Michael Thorsen in 2013. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes with ebracteate inflorescences and white corollas with exserted stamens.

<i>Myosotis antarctica</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis antarctica is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, native to mainland New Zealand, Campbell Island and southern Chile. Joseph Dalton Hooker described the species in his 19th century work Flora Antarctica. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial with a prostrate habit, bracteate inflorescences, and white or blue corollas. It is one of two native species of Myosotis in the New Zealand subantarctic islands, the other being M. capitata, which also has blue corollas.

<i>Myosotis mooreana</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis mooreana is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, described as being endemic to the South Island of New Zealand by Carlos Lehnebach in 2012, and synonymised with Myosotis australis in 2020. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes with ebracteate inflorescences and white or yellow corollas with stamens that are fully included in the corolla tube or sometimes partly exserted.

<i>Myosotis retrorsa</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis retrorsa is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Heidi Meudt, Jessica Prebble and Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls described the species. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial with a prostrate habit, bracteate inflorescences, and white corollas.

<i>Myosotis umbrosa</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis umbrosa is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Heidi Meudt, Jessica Prebble and Michael Thorsen described the species. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial with a prostrate habit, bracteate inflorescences, and white corollas.

<i>Myosotis cheesemanii</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis cheesemanii is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Donald Petrie described the species in 1886. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes with bracteate inflorescences and white corollas.

<i>Myosotis tenericaulis</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis tenericaulis is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to New Zealand. Donald Petrie described the species in 1918. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes with creeping, sprawling bracteate inflorescences and white corollas.

<i>Myosotis lyallii</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis lyallii is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to New Zealand. Joseph Dalton Hooker described the species in 1853. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial with a prostrate habit, bracteate or partially-bracteate inflorescences, and white corollas.

<i>Myosotis lyallii <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> lyallii</i> Subspecies of flowering plant endemic to New Zealand

Myosotis lyalliisubsp. lyallii is a subspecies of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Joseph Dalton Hooker described M. lyallii in 1853. Plants of this subspecies of forget-me-not are perennial with a prostrate habit, bracteate or partially-bracteate inflorescences, and white corollas, usually with exserted anthers.

<i>Myosotis brevis</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis brevis is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to New Zealand. George Simpson and J.S. Thomson described M. pygmaea var. minutiflora in 1942, and Peter de Lange and John Barkla recognized it at species rank in 2010, as M. brevis. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are small and annual, with a prostrate habit, bracteate inflorescences, tiny white corollas, and brown or green leaves.

<i>Myosotis laeta</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis laeta is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to ultramafic areas of the Sounds-Nelson area of the South Island of New Zealand. Thomas Cheeseman described the species in 1885. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes which form loose tufts or clumps, with ebracteate, erect inflorescences, and white corollas.

<i>Myosotis goyenii <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> goyenii</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis goyeniisubsp. goyenii is a subspecies of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to southern South Island of New Zealand. Donald Petrie described the species M. goyenii in 1891. Plants of this subspecies of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes which form loose clumps, with ebracteate, erect inflorescences, and white corollas with partly exserted stamens.

<i>Myosotis hikuwai</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis hikuwai is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Heidi Meudt, Jessica Prebble and Geoff Rogers described M. hikuwai in 2022. Plants of this forget-me-not are spring annuals with bracteate and erect inflorescences, and small, white corollas with inserted stamens. The species is considered Threatened and known only from one population near Wānaka.

<i>Myosotis pansa <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> praeceps</i> Subspecies of flowering plant

Myosotis pansa subsp. praeceps is a subspecies of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. Lucy Moore described the variety M. petiolata var. pansa in 1961, and it was transferred to a subspecies of M. pansa by Heidi Meudt, Jessica Prebble, Rebecca Stanley and Michael Thorsen in 2013. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes with partially bracteate inflorescences and white corollas with exserted stamens.

<i>Myosotis lytteltonensis</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis lytteltonensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae and a synonym of Myosotis australis. It was first described as a variety of M. australis, considered endemic to the South Island of New Zealand, then raised to species status, and subsequently synonymised with Myosotis australis in 2020. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes with ebracteate inflorescences and white or yellow corollas with stamens that are fully included in the corolla tube or sometimes partly exserted.

<i>Myosotis amabilis</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis amabilis is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to New Zealand. Thomas Cheeseman described the species in 1906 based on specimens collected at Mt Hikurangi. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes with ebracteate inflorescences and white corollas with stamens that are exserted.

<i>Myosotis saxosa</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis saxosa is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. Joseph Dalton Hooker described the species in 1853. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes with ebracteate inflorescences and white corollas with stamens that are exserted.

<i>Myosotis macrantha</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis macrantha or the Bronze Forget-Me-Not is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Joseph Dalton Hooker described the species as Exarrhena macrantha in 1864, and Thomas Cheeseman transferred it to the genus Myosotis in 1885. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes with ebracteate inflorescences and yellow to dark purple corollas with stamens that are exserted.

<i>Myosotis explanata</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis explanata is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to high-elevation habitats in the South Island of New Zealand. Thomas Cheeseman described the species in 1906. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes with ebracteate inflorescences and white corollas with stamens that are partly exserted, with the tips of the anthers only surpassing the scales.

<i>Myosotis oreophila</i> Species of flowering plant

Myosotis oreophila is a species of flowering plant in the family Boraginaceae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Donald Petrie described the species in 1896. Plants of this species of forget-me-not are perennial rosettes with ebracteate inflorescences and white corollas with stamens that are partially exserted.

References

  1. ↑ Lehnebach, C. (2012). "Lectotypification of three species of forget-me-nots (Myosotis: Boraginaceae) from Australasia". Tuhinga . 23: 17–28.
  2. 1 2 3 "Myosotis L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  3. ↑ "Myosotis" . Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press.(Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  4. 1 2 3 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Forget-me-not"  . Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 10 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 663.
  5. ↑ "Water forget-me-not | The Wildlife Trusts". www.wildlifetrusts.org. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  6. ↑ "Alaska Kid's Corner". State of Alaska. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  7. ↑ "Name > I - N > Myosotis - Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens". www.bethchatto.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  8. ↑ "Flora of New Zealand | Taxon Profile | Myosotis". www.nzflora.info.
  9. 1 2 Winkworth, Richard C.; Grau, Jürke; Robertson, Alastair W.; Lockhart, Peter J. (2002). "The Origins and Evolution of the Genus Myosotis L. (Boraginaceae)" (PDF). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution . 24 (2): 180–93. Bibcode:2002MolPE..24..180W. doi:10.1016/S1055-7903(02)00210-5. PMID   12144755.
  10. ↑ 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:10.1007/s00606-014-1166-x. ISSN   0378-2697. S2CID   14686750.
  11. ↑ Lehnebach, Carlos A. (21 August 2012). "Two new species of forget-me-nots (Myosotis, Boraginaceae) from New Zealand". PhytoKeys (16): 53–64. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.16.3602 . PMC   3492931 . PMID   23233811.
  12. ↑ "Home". www.worldfloraonline.org. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  13. ↑ "Das Vergissmeinnicht-Abzeichen und die Freimaurerei". www.internetloge.de (in German). Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  14. ↑ Bernheim, Alain. ""The Blue Forget-Me-Not": Another Side of the Story". Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry. Archived from the original on 30 January 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  15. ↑ "The Story Behind Forget Me Not Emblem!". Masonic Network Blog. 11 December 2009. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  16. ↑ "Հայոց ցեղասպանության 100-րդ տարելիցի խորհրդանիշը անմոռուկ ծաղիկն է, կարգախոսը՝ "Հիշում եմ և պահանջում"". www.armenpress.am (in Armenian). Armenpress. 26 May 2014. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  17. ↑ "Flower of discord: Lithuanian politicians clash over forget-me-not symbol". lrt.lt. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  18. ↑ "Home". Alzheimers New Zealand. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  19. ↑ "Forget me not – dementia help in Hospitals". BBC News. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  20. ↑ "About the Forget me not Appeal | Alzheimer's Society". www.alzheimers.org.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  21. ↑ Fairfax Gardening. "Forget-Me-Not: A Flower Filled with Symbolism and Lore" (PDF). www.fairfaxgardening.org.
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