96 Records

Status

Status is hard to gauge since this species is very easily confused with Changing 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. Most likely found state wide in appropriate habitat, but MBP only has records from the Coastal Plain and 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. Strict Forget-me-not has fruiting pedicels that are shorter than the calyx.

Difficult to differentiate from Changing Forget-me-not. Mericarps of Changing Forget-me-not shorter than the styles. Strict Forget-me-not has mericarps that are longer 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. Strict Forget-me-not has uncinate (hook-tipped) hairs along the mid-vein of the abaxial surface of the leaves, compared to Changing Forget-me-not which lacks uncinate hairs along the mid-vein of the abaxial surface of the leaves (Weakley, 2021 & GoBotany).

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.