Changing Forget-me-not
Myosotis discolor Persoon
Changing Forget-me-not: https://marylandbiodiversity.com/species/2281
Synonyms
Myosotis veriscolor 

Map Snapshot

11 Records

Status

Status is hard to gauge since this species is very easily confused with Strict Forget-me-not, and Field Forget-me-not. Public opinion, which is most likely false, is that Strict Forget-me-not is the de facto small Myosotis of open weedy areas in Maryland. All records in the MBP database are from the Coastal Plain, but it is most likely found on the Piedmont.

Description

To differentiate from Field Forget-me-not compare the pedicel length. Fruiting pedicels of Field Forget-me-not are either equal to, or longer than the calyx. Changing Forget-me-not has fruiting pedicels that are shorter than the calyx.

Difficult to differentiate from Strict Forget-me-not. Mericarps of Strict Forget-me-not longer than the styles. Changing Forget-me-not has mericarps that are shorter than the styles. Most keys state that Changing Forget-me-not only has flowers from mid-stem and up, compared to Strict Forget-me-not that has flowers along the stem almost to the base of the plant. Changing Forget-me-not lacks uncinate (hook tipped) hairs along the mid-vein of the abaxial surface of the leaves, compared with Strict Forget-me-not which has uncinate hairs on the mid-vein of the abaxial surface of the leaves.

Young plants can not be safely identified to species, and should be labeled as Myosotis discolor/stricta.

Where To Find

Open weedy areas with full sun and short grass; roadside edges, edges of parking lots, and field edges.

Use of media featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer.

Source: Wikipedia

Myosotis discolor
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Myosotis
Species:
M. discolor
Binomial name
Myosotis discolor

Myosotis discolor is a species of forget-me-not known by the common name changing forget-me-not. It is native to Europe, and it can also be found throughout eastern and western North America, where it is an introduced species. It grows in many types of habitat, including disturbed areas such as roadsides.

Description

[edit]

It is a hairy annual or perennial herb growing 10 to 50 centimeters tall with a slender, sometimes branching, erect stem. The sparse linear, lance-shaped, or oblong leaves are up to 4 centimeters long and under a centimeter wide. They are coated in straight hairs. The inflorescence is a coiled or curved array of tiny (less than 2mm) flowers at the top of the stem. The flowers are initially yellow or cream, changing to pink and then to blue as they mature, giving rise to the common name.[1]: 208 [2]: 564 

[edit]

Inflorescences

[edit]

Flowers

[edit]

Herbarium

[edit]

Botanical illustrations

[edit]


References

[edit]
  1. ^ Blamey, M.; Fitter, R.; Fitter, A (2003). Wild flowers of Britain and Ireland: The Complete Guide to the British and Irish Flora. London: A & C Black. ISBN 978-1408179505.
  2. ^ Stace, C. A. (2010). New Flora of the British Isles (Third ed.). Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521707725.
[edit]