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Forget-me-not
Myosotis alpestris
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An annual to biennial herb that produces numerous small blue-purple flowers in spring. Originally from Europe, it is widely cultivated and naturalized throughout Japan, found along riverbanks and roadsides. Known for its flower language meaning 'forget-me-not.'
Identification Points
- βFlowers about 5 mm across, pale blue-purple with a yellow center
- βInflorescence is a scorpioid cyme
- βStems and leaves densely covered with soft white hairs
Habitat
Riverbanks, roadsides, and flower beds
Season
AprilβJune (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf shape
Ovate
Growth form
Herb
Petal count
5 petals
Petal fusion
Fused
Flower color
Purple
Habitat
Cultivated
Stipules
Absent
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Ovary position
Superior
Phylogenetic Positionγ γ©γ΅γη§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core Eudicots > Boraginales > Boraginaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (ca. 50 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Boraginaceae belongs to Lamiales; the characteristic scorpioid cyme (helicoid cyme) is a synapomorphy shared across the family.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification