Myosotis alpestris

Flower name
Myosotis alpestris
Scientific name
Myosotis alpestris
AliasForget-me-not, エゾムラサキ, フォーゲット・ミー・ノット, 忘れな草
Place of originEurope
Place of floweringGreenhouse, Sub-alpine
Flowering seasonMay, June, July

What is Myosotis alpestris

Myosotis alpestris or Alpestris-Forget-me-not (Scientific Name: Myosotis alpestris) is a perennial herb belonging to the family Boraginaceae and the genus Myosotis, native to Europe. It grows in subalpine grasslands and forests in its native habitat, and it has become naturalized in Japan, specifically in Hokkaido and Nagano Prefecture. It typically reaches a height of 10 to 20 cm. The oval-shaped leaves are approximately 8 cm long and have a downy texture. From May to September, it produces scorpion-shaped inflorescences on flower stems, bearing numerous dark blue flowers. This variety is also commonly known as "Myosotis" or "Forget-me-not" like Myosotis scorpioides.

The genus name "Myosotis" is derived from the Greek words "myos" (mouse) and "otis" (ear), referring to the leaves' resemblance to a mouse's ear due to their soft hairiness. The species epithet "alpestris" means "subalpine," indicating its habitat at altitudes of 1500 to 2400 meters.

The different species within the Myosotis genus vary in height and leaf size depending on their habitat altitude.

Myosotis scorpioides (Forget-me-not) grows taller in lowlands, reaching up to 50 cm, with leaves around 10 cm long.
Myosotis scorpioides alpestris (Field Forget-me-not) grows in subalpine grasslands, with a height of 10 to 20 cm and leaves approximately 8 cm long.
Myosotis alpina (Alps Forget-me-not) grows in high mountain rocky areas, with a height of 3 to 10 cm and leaves around 5 cm long.

Common Name: Myosotis alpestris, Scientific Name: Myosotis alpestris, Alternative Name: Forget-me-not (common name) ,Taxonomy (APG IV): Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Boraginales, Boraginaceae, Myosotis, Native Range: Europe, Habit: Perennial herb (annual in Japan) , Height: 10-20 cm, Leaf Shape: Narrow oval, Leaf Length: 8 cm, Leaf Margin: Entire, Leaf Arrangement: Alternate, Flower Symmetry: Radial, Flowering Period: May to September, Inflorescence Shape: Scorpioid cyme, Flower Diameter: 0.6-0.8 cm, Flower Color: Blue-purple, Corolla Shape: Funnel-shaped with 5 deep lobes, Sepals: 5 , Stamens: 5
Uses: Ornamental gardening, potting.