Changing forget-me-not (Myosotis discolor, J.A.Murray (ed.), Syst. Veg. ed. 15: 190 (1798))

Family: Boraginaceae

Author: Pers.

Bibliography: J.A.Murray (ed.), Syst. Veg. ed. 15: 190 (1798)

Year: 1798

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Myosotis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Azores, Europe to Medit.

Description

The Changing Forget-me-not, known scientifically as Myosotis discolor, is a captivating herbaceous plant belonging to the Boraginaceae family. This modest yet charming wildflower is widely distributed across Europe, extending its reach to the Mediterranean and even the Azores.

Recognized for its delicate beauty, Myosotis discolor produces petite blooms that exhibit an enchanting shifting coloration. The flowers typically transition from a pale yellow hue as they first bloom to a light blue or lilac shade as they mature, lending the plant its common name. These blooms, with their classic forget-me-not structure, cluster on slender, slightly hairy stems that can grow up to 30 centimeters tall.

The leaves of the Changing Forget-me-not are equally modest, typically oblong to lanceolate, covered with fine, soft hairs that give the foliage a slightly fuzzy texture. They are arranged alternately along the stem, contributing to the overall dainty appearance of the plant.

Myosotis discolor thrives in a variety of habitats, from grasslands and meadows to the edges of woodlands and coastal areas. It is an adaptable plant that prefers well-drained soils and can often be found in surprisingly diverse environmental conditions within its vast range. This adaptability ensures that the Changing Forget-me-not can survive and even thrive in many different locales across its native regions.

The botanical exploration and classification of this plant date back to the late 18th century, with notable references such as those compiled by J.A. Murray in the “Systema Vegetabilium,” where the species was noted in the 1798 edition. The plant’s classification was further detailed by Persoon, a prominent botanist whose contributions to taxonomy have been widely recognized.

In summary, Myosotis discolor is a delightful and adaptable wildflower whose modest blooms and shifting colors have captured the affection of botanists and nature enthusiasts alike. Its wide distribution and ability to thrive in various habitats make it a notable species within the rich tapestry of the Boraginaceae family.

Common Names

Deu: buntes vergissmeinnicht, buntes vergißmeinnicht
Eng: changing forget-me-not, yellow-and-blue forget-me-not, common forget-me-not, two-coloured forget-me-not, yellow-and-blue scorpiongrass
Dan: forskelligfarvet forglemmigej, hvid snerre, park-snerre
Swe: kal korsmåra, korsmåra, parkmåra, storsmåra, waldsteinia, brokförgätmigej, kirjolemmikki
Fin: nurmimatara, paimenmatara, kirjolemmikki
Nor: parkmaure, stormaure
Fra: myosotis versicolore, myosotis discolore, myosotis à deux couleurs
Nob: perleforglemmegei
Nno: perleminneblom
Lav: raib
Nld: veelkleurig vergeet-mij-nietje
Cym: llys-coffa amryliw, sgorpionllys amryliw, ysgorpionllys amryliw, ysgorpionllys lliw-rhanolwg
En: Changing forget-me-not, Yellow Scorpion-Grass, Yellowandblue forget-me-not, Yellow-and-blue forget-me-not, Common forget-me-not, Two-coloured forget-me-not, Yellow-and-blue scorpiongrass
Ar: أذن الفأر المتلون
Be: Незабудка ўзгоркавая
Ca: Miosotis groga
Cs: Pomněnka různobarvá
Da: Forskelligfarvet Forglemmigej, Hvid Snerre, Park-Snerre
Nl: Veelkleurig vergeet-mij-nietje
Et: Kirju lõosilm
Fi: Kirjolemmikki, Nurmimatara, Paimenmatara
Fr: Myosotis versicolore, Myosotis discolore, Myosotis à deux couleurs, Myosotis bicolore, Myosotis changeant, Myosotis de deux couleurs
De: Buntes Vergissmeinnicht, Farbwechselndes Vergissmeinnicht, Buntes Vergißmeinnicht, Farbwechselndes Vergißmeinnicht
It: Nontiscordardim√© cangiante, Nontiscordardimé cangiante
Lv: Raib
No: Parkmaure, Stormaure
Nb: Perleforglemmegei
Nn: Perleminneblom
Pl: Niezapominajka różnobarwna
Es: No me olvides
Sv: Brokförgätmigej, Kal korsmåra, Korsmåra, Parkmåra, Storsmåra, Waldsteinia, Kirjolemmikki
Cy: Sgorpionllys amryliw, Llys-Coffa Amryliw, Ysgorpionllys Amryliw, Ysgorpionllys Lliw-Rhanolwg

Synonyms

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Kerguelen (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 20, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2020 by Steve Evans (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2021 by Julián Díaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2005 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 25, 2020 by Ken Czerwinski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2020 by Ken Czerwinski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 10, 2022 by maite MEILLAN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2005 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Marie-Françoise RIGAUDIERE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Luc Gorremans (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2005 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 9, 2022 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2021 by Aurélie G. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2019 by Michel LOPEZ (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Bark

Taken May 19, 2019 by Simon Mèche (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2020 by Jasper (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2020 by Ken Czerwinski (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Pierre Donnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 11, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 1901 by Tela Botanica − Anne-Marie GRIMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 1849 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Bruno MACÉ (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5341177)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:118996-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Myosotis discolor Pers.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 2