Creeping-forget-me-not (Omphalodes verna, Methodus: 420 (1794))

Family: Boraginaceae

Author: Moench

Bibliography: Methodus: 420 (1794)

Year: 1794

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Omphalodes

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Alps to N. Appennini and C. Romania

Description

Creeping-forget-me-not, scientifically known as Omphalodes verna, is a charming and delicate plant renowned for its lovely, small flowers. First described by the botanist Moench in 1794 in “Methodus” on page 420, this species belongs to the Boraginaceae family, which includes many other notable flowering plants.

The enchanting blue blooms of Omphalodes verna often captivate gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike. These flowers are characterized by their striking resemblance to the well-known forget-me-nots, hence the common name. Typically thriving in temperate climates, the natural range of Creeping-forget-me-not spans from the southeastern Alps through to the northern Apennines and central Romania. This distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability to various mountainous terrains and climates.

Growing primarily as a ground-cover plant, Omphalodes verna forms dense mats of foliage that can provide lush, green expanses dotted with its signature blue flowers in the spring. This growth habit is particularly beneficial for soil erosion control and for adding vibrant color to shady garden areas. The leaves are typically oval-shaped and offer a pleasing contrast to the clusters of sky-blue flowers.

Not just admired for its beauty, Omphalodes verna is also appreciated for its relatively low maintenance requirements. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens or shaded borders where other plants might struggle. Once established, it requires minimal attention beyond occasional watering and light pruning to maintain its shape and prevent unwanted spreading.

Due to its appealing appearance and practical benefits in garden design, Omphalodes verna is a beloved choice for many gardeners seeking to enhance their green spaces with a touch of elegant blue, reminiscent of the serene alpine and forest environments where it originates.

Common Names

Eng: blue-eyed-mary, creeping navelwort, creeping-forget-me-not, blue-eyed mary
Deu: frühlings-gedenkemein, frühlings-nabelnüsschen, grosses vergissmeinnicht, nabelnuss, nabelnuß
Isl: kornasteinbrjótur
Dan: kærminde, vår-kærminde
Swe: mandelblomma, mattbräcka, mossbräcka, skuggbräcka, ormöga
Nor: nyresildre
Fra: omphalodès, petite bourrache, omphalodes du printemps, omphalodès du printemps
Fin: papelorikko
Lit: pavasarinis poraitis
Lav: pavasara omfalode
Ces: pupkovec jarní, pupkovec jarný
Hun: tavaszi békaszem
Nld: vroeg vergeet-mij-nietje, amerikaans vergeet-mij-nietje
Cym: mari lygatlas
En: Creeping-forget-me-not, Blue-eyed-Mary, Creeping navelwort, Blue-Eyed Mary
Ar: حشيشة السرة الربيعية
Cs: Pupkovec jarní, Pupkovec jarný
Da: Kærminde, Vår-kærminde
Nl: Vroeg vergeet-mij-nietje, Amerikaans vergeet-mij-nietje, Amerikaans Vergeetmijnietje
Et: Kevad-nabaseemik
Fi: Kevätkaihonkukka, Papelorikko
Fr: Petite bourrache, Omphalodes du printemps, Omphalodès, Omphalodès du printemps, Omphalodès de printemps
De: Frühlings-Gedenkemein, Nabelnuß, Frühlings-Nabelnüsschen, Grosses Vergissmeinnicht, Nabelnuss, Frühlings-Nabelnüßchen
Hu: Tavaszi békaszem
Is: Kornasteinbrjótur
It: Borrana
Lv: Pavasara omfalode
Lt: Pavasarinis poraitis
No: Nyresildre
Fa: چشم ونوس آبی
Pl: Ułudka wiosenna
Ru: Pupochnik vesennyi
Sr: Мишје уво
Sk: Pupkovec jarný
Es: Spomladanska torilnica
Sv: Ormöga, Mandelblomma, Mattbräcka, Mossbräcka, Skuggbräcka
Cy: Mari lygatlas

Synonyms

• Cynoglossum omphaloides (L.)
• Omphalodes omphaloides ((L.) Voss)
• Omphalodes repens (Schrank)
• Cynoglossum vernale (Salisb.)
• Picotia verna ((Moench) Roem. & Schult.)
• Omphalium vernum ((Moench) Roth)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Italy (native)
• Romania (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 2, 2021 by Danilo Brugali (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2020 by Krampl Tomáš (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2020 by Anidra (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 27, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 31, 2019 by Julien Richter (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Isabel Raddatz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 12, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

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

Fruit

Taken Jul 8, 2020 by Verónica Rodríguez Vicente (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2022 by marie (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 24, 2021 by Kristian (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2926048)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:119508-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Omphalodes verna Moench)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 4

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘mar’, ‘apr’, ‘may’]

Soil nutriments: 6