Slender, low to short softly hairy plant, often only 2 to 5 cm tall. Basal leaves in a rosette, lanceolate, stem leaves oblong, unstalked. Flowers bright blue, 2 to 3 mm the petals scarcely exceeding the calyx. Similar Species.
The calyx has hairs that stick out and are either hooked or curved. The flower stalks, or pedicels, are shorter than the fruiting calyx. The corolla is blue at first, and the tube is shorter than the calyx.
Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. In the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire it was found in 50 of the 617 tetrads.
With their delicate clusters of tiny sky-blue flowers, early forget-me-nots (Myosotis ramosissima) create a beautiful hazy effect in dry fields and grasslands in spring. But what do these charming wildflowers look like before they bloom? Get to know how to recognize early forget-me-nots by their distinctive leaves and growth habit.
Basal Rosette Leaves
Early in the growing season, forget-me-not plants form a basal rosette of leaves close to the ground. These leaves are stalked, with the petiole (leaf stalk) attaching near the middle of the underside of the leaf blade.
The leaf blades are elongated and oval (ellipsoidal) in shape. They range from 1-5 cm long and 0.5-1.5 cm wide.
Young seedlings produce leaves that are nearly round. As the plant matures the leaves become more elongated.
The basal rosette persists through the winter and into early spring But it usually withers away by the time the flowers begin to open, So mature flowering plants may lack the basal leaves
Stem Leaves
As flowering stems grow, they produce alternating leaves along their length. The stem leaves are smaller, narrower, and stalkless compared to the basal leaves.
The upper stem leaves are oblong in shape, tapering to a point at the tip. They range from 1-3 cm long and 0.2-0.7 cm wide.
These leaves attach directly to the hairy flowering stems, lacking any petiole. They clasp the stem at their base.
Plants produce multiple branching flowering stems. The small stem leaves continue to alternate up each branching stem.
Hairy Foliage
A key identifying trait of early forget-me-nots are the hairs covering both leaves and stems. These hairs impart a soft, fuzzy texture.
Two types of hairs grow on the foliage:
- Sparse, stiff, bristly hairs that stick straight out perpendicular to the surface
- Dense, finer hairs that lay flat against the surface
The hairs are most prominent on the underside of leaves and give them a grayish-green hue.
Growth Habit
Early forget-me-nots grow low to the ground, reaching just 10–25 cm tall at maturity.
Plants emerge from a taproot and produce multiple branching stems from the base. This gives them a spreading, mounded shape.
The slender, weak stems sprawl outwards along the ground unless supported by surrounding vegetation.
Use Leaves for Identification
When identifying early forget-me-nots before flowering, the leaves provide reliable clues:
- Basal rosette of stalked, elliptical leaves
- Smaller oblong stem leaves that clasp the hairy stems
- Densely hairy foliage with bristly and appressed hairs
- Low, spreading growth habit
Getting to know the distinct leaves and growth form of early forget-me-nots will help you recognize these plants even when they aren’t in bloom. Watch for their fuzzy foliage carpeting dry fields and rocky areas in spring.
Key Facts on Early Forget-Me-Not Leaves:
- Alternate along hairy, branching stems
- Basal leaves are 1-5 cm long, elliptical with petioles
- Stem leaves are 1-3 cm long, narrow oblong, stalkless
- Undersides densely covered in bristly and appressed hairs
- Impart soft, gray-green fuzzy texture
- Rosettes wither by flowering time
- Plants are low growing, forming prostrate patches
With their misty blue flowers and fuzzy foliage, early forget-me-nots create delightful spring carpets in dry grassy areas. Get acquainted with their identifying leaf traits to recognize these charming wildflowers.
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Growing Forget Me Not Flower From Seed Time Lapse (72 Days)
FAQ
Does forget-me-not come back every year?
Does forget-me-not bloom the first year?
Are forget-me-nots cut and come again?
Do forget-me-nots like sun or shade?
Do Forget-Me-Nots reseed?
Leave the flowers on the plant if you want the forget-me-nots to reseed. Myosotis sylvatica is the common bi-annual forget-me-not with hairy leaves. It’s also known as the woodland forget-me-not. ‘Rosylva’, has pink flowers. ‘Victoria Rose’ blooms early with small pink flowers. M. scorpiodes is similar to the common forget-me-not.
When does early forget-me-not flower?
Early Forget-me-not produces flowers during April and May in Britain and Ireland. An annual or biennial wildflower of dry habitats, Early Forget-me-not is commonly found in higher parts of old sand-dune systems and other coastal grasslands, but it does also occur inland, usually on bare stony lime-rich land such as disused quarries.
Where do early forget-me-not plants grow?
Plants branch from the base and are typically 10-25cm tall. This plant is widespread and fairly common throughout most of Britain and Ireland but it is scarce in the far northwest of Scotland. Early Forget-me-not is also found in many parts of mainland Europe. Early Forget-me-not produces flowers during April and May in Britain and Ireland.
What is a forget-me-not flower?
M. alpestris, the hardy alpine forget-me-not, is a short-lived dwarf perennial growing to 6 inches tall. Blooms are blue, pink, or white. In the language of flowers, forget-me-not’s meaning is “true love memories.” Forget-me-not seed packets are popular handouts and giveaways for funeral services and remembrances.