Forget-me-not
Myosotis, family Boraginaceae
Small blue wildflowers known for remembrance and love
Forget-me-nots are small flowering plants in the Myosotis genus, part of the borage family. Native mostly to western Eurasia and New Zealand, these blue, pink, or white flowers are grown in gardens and found in the wild, and are widely used as symbols of memory and devotion.
- Forget-me-nots are the state flower of Alaska.
- They are a symbol of remembrance in many countries.
- The flower is used by Alzheimer’s groups in several nations.
- Many New Zealand species are threatened in the wild.
- A German legend explains the flower’s name.
What does Forget-me-not look like?
Forget-me-nots are low-growing plants with soft, alternate leaves shaped like a mouse’s ear. Their flowers are small and flat, usually less than a centimeter wide, and most often blue, but can also be pink, white, or yellow. The blooms grow in curled clusters, and each flower has five petals and a yellow center. Seed pods are small and shaped like tulips, clinging to animals or clothing to spread.
Where does Forget-me-not come from?
Myosotis was first described by Carl Linnaeus. Most species are native to western Eurasia, while New Zealand has many unique types. Some species have also appeared in North and South America, Australia, and Papua New Guinea, likely from a single event that brought them to the Southern Hemisphere. Forget-me-nots are now common in gardens and wild areas across temperate regions, often near water.
When and how Forget-me-not blooms
Forget-me-nots bloom mainly in spring or soon after snow melts in mountain areas. They prefer moist soil and can grow as annuals or perennials. Seeds are easily collected by shaking the pods onto paper. The plants are often started from seed and thrive in gardens or wild, damp places such as riverbanks.
How Forget-me-not is used
These flowers are widely used as emblems and for remembrance. In Alaska, they are the state flower. In Newfoundland and Labrador, and in Germany, they are worn to honor those lost in war. The flower is also a symbol for Alzheimer’s awareness in several countries, and is used in art and memorials to represent lasting love and memory.
Kinds of Forget-me-not
There are over 60 species in western Eurasia and about 40 in New Zealand. Myosotis scorpioides, known as scorpion grass, is recognized for its curled flower clusters. Myosotis sylvatica, the woodland forget-me-not, is commonly grown in gardens and has spread widely outside its native range.
What Forget-me-not means
Forget-me-nots have long stood for remembrance and enduring affection. They are used in ceremonies and memorials in places like Armenia, Lithuania, and Germany. The flower is linked to stories of love and loss, including a German legend about a knight’s last words. It is also a symbol for Alzheimer’s organizations and features in funerary art.
Where Forget-me-not is used and seen
Traditions that use it
Days and festivals
Questions people ask about Forget-me-not
Where do forget-me-nots come from?
Most forget-me-not species are native to western Eurasia and New Zealand, but they now grow in many temperate regions due to cultivation and natural spread.
What do forget-me-nots look like?
They are small plants with soft, mouse-ear shaped leaves and clusters of tiny, flat flowers, usually blue but sometimes pink, white, or yellow, each with a yellow center.
What do forget-me-nots represent?
Forget-me-nots are widely used as symbols of remembrance, lasting love, and devotion, and are worn or displayed during memorial events in several countries.
Are forget-me-nots used for any causes?
Yes, they are symbols for Alzheimer’s awareness in countries like the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and are also used in war remembrance.
Are any forget-me-nots threatened?
Many species found in New Zealand are considered threatened in their natural habitats.
Good reading and sources
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- Welcoming wards for dementia careBBC, Article
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Myosotis", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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