Garden forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica, Deutschl. Fl. 1:61. 1791)

Family: Boraginaceae

Author: Hoffm.

Bibliography: Deutschl. Fl. 1:61. 1791

Year: 1791

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Myosotis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Madeira, Temp. Eurasia

Description

The Garden forget-me-not, known scientifically as Myosotis sylvatica, is a charming and beloved plant species that holds a special place in many gardens around the world. This perennial flower is characterized by its delicate clusters of small, sky-blue blooms, which typically feature a yellow or white eye at their center. These blooms grow on slender, hairy stems that rise above attractive, lance-shaped foliage, creating a soft, airy effect in landscaped areas.

Originally documented in Deutschl. Fl. 1:61 in the year 1791 by the botanist Hoffmann, Myosotis sylvatica has captivated plant enthusiasts and gardeners for centuries. Its natural habitats range across temperate regions of Eurasia, and it has also been observed in the picturesque environment of Madeira. The species thrives in cool, moist, and shaded conditions but is sufficiently adaptable to flourish in various garden settings.

As a member of the Boraginaceae family, the Garden forget-me-not shares a heritage with other noted flowering plants known for their vibrant colors and appealing forms. Its presence in a garden is not only aesthetically pleasing but also culturally significant; the name “forget-me-not” symbolizes enduring love and remembrance, adding a layer of profound sentiment to its ornamental appeal.

The Garden forget-me-not is relatively easy to grow and maintain, making it a popular choice for gardeners of all skill levels. It tends to self-seed generously, ensuring its continuous presence from one year to the next. While it’s typically found thriving in woodland gardens, it can also serve as a splendid border plant or ground cover, bringing whimsy and charm to various garden compositions.

In conclusion, Myosotis sylvatica, or the Garden forget-me-not, is a delightful addition to gardens with its delicate blue flowers and resilient nature. Its long-standing heritage and natural grace continue to enchant and inspire, offering a timeless beauty that gardeners everywhere cherish.

Common Names

Dan: bånd-pil, purpur-pil, skov-forglemmigej, skørpil, sort pil
Eng: garden forget-me-not, wood forget-me-not, woodland forget-me-not
Swe: knäckepil, korgvide, rödvide, svartvide, puistolemmikki, skogsförgätmigej, trädgårdsförgätmigej
Nor: korgpil, raudpil, skjørpil, svartvier
Fin: koripaju, mustuvapaju, punapaju, salava, puistolemmikki
Deu: wald-vergissmeinnicht, wald-vergißmeinnicht, waldvergissmeinnicht
Nld: bosvergeet-mij-nietje
Lav: meža neaizmirstule
Fra: myosotis des alpes, myosotis des bois, myosotis des forets, myosotis des forêts, ne m’oubliez-pas, myosotis des parterres
Nob: skogforglemmegei
Nno: skogminneblom
Sme: vuovdevajálgeahtesnásti
Cym: llys-coffa’r coed, sgorpiollys y coed, sgorpion y coed, ysgorpionllys y coetd, ysgorpionllys y llwyni
En: Garden forget-me-not, Wood forget-me-not, Woodland forget-me-not, Remember-me
Ar: أذن الفأر الحرجي
Eu: Basoko oroilore
Be: Незабудка лясная
Bn: মায়োসোটিস সিলভাটিকা
Bg: Незабравка
Ca: Miosotis de bosc
Zh: 勿忘草, 森林勿忘草, 毋忘我
Hr: Šumska potočnica
Cs: Pomněnka lesní
Da: Skov-Forglemmigej, Bånd-Pil, Purpur-Pil, Skørpil, Sort Pil
Nl: Bosvergeet-mij-nietje, Myosotis silvatica
Et: Mets-lõosilm
Fi: Puistolemmikki, Lehtolemmikki, Koripaju, Mustuvapaju, Punapaju, Salava
Fr: Myosotis des Alpes, Myosotis des bois, Myosotis des forets, Ne m’oubliez-pas, Myosotis des forêts, Myosotis des parterres
De: Wald-Vergissmeinnicht, Waldvergissmeinnicht, Wald-Vergißmeinnicht, Wald Vergißmeinnicht
Hu: Erdei nefelejcs
It: Nontiscordardim√© dei boschi, Nontiscordardimé dei boschi
Lv: Meža neaizmirstule
Lt: Miškinė neužmirštuolė
Ml: മയോസോട്ടിസ് സിൽവാട്ടിക
Se: Vuovdevajálgeahtesnásti
No: Korgpil, Raudpil, Skjørpil, Svartvier
Nb: Skogforglemmegei
Nn: Skogminneblom
Fa: فراموشم مکن
Pl: Niezapominajka leśna
Pt-br: Miosótis, Não-me-esqueças, Não-te-esqueças-de-mim
Ru: Nezabudka lesnaya, Незабудка лесная
Sr: Nezboravak
Sk: Nezábudka lesná, Nezábudka horská
Es: Gozdna spominčica, Miosotis, Nomeolvides acuático, Nomeolvides, No me olvides de jardín
Sv: Skogsförgätmigej, Trädgårdsförgätmigej, Knäckepil, Korgvide, Rödvide, Svartvide, Puistolemmikki
Zh-tw: 勿忘草
Zh-hant: 勿忘草
Tr: Orman unutmabenisi
Cy: Sgorpionllys y coed, Sgorpiollys y coed, Llys-Coffa’r Coed, Sgorpion y Coed, Ysgorpionllys y Coetd, Ysgorpionllys y Llwyni

Synonyms

• Myosotis arvensis var. grandiflora (Wahlenb.)
• Myosotis palustris var. sylvatica ((Ehrh. ex Hoffm.) Fr.)
• Myosotis perennis var. sylvatica ((Ehrh. ex Hoffm.) DC.)
• Myosotis arvensis subsp. sylvatica ((Ehrh. ex Hoffm.) Wahlenb.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Labrador (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Swaziland (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 7, 2019 by susie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2018 by Killian Leonard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2018 by Luciano García (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2005 by bas yves (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.

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

Leaf

Taken Apr 5, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2022 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2019 by susie (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 29, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2020 by Ghis Berland (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2019 by diana.grandi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 8, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2019 by Catherine Degeneffe (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 5, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2022 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2005 by bas yves (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2020 by Michael zu Solms (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 20, 2019 by troglo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2019 by mélanie peduzzi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2022 by Paolo Lelio Palmeri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2020 by Marlies (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Paul HUGBART (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:119282-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5341175)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Myosotis sylvatica Hoffm.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 7