Boraginaceae

Myosotis scorpioides

Marsh Forget-Me-Not

Upright from creeping stems and stolons. Stems unbranched, leafy, covered with sharp rigid hairs pressed against surface. Leaves oblong to elliptic, covered with rigid hairs; lower leaves narrow to winged petioles; upper leaves sessile. Many flowers spread out on leafless stem top that uncoils and lengthens with blooming. Flowers small, blue with a conspicuous yellow eye, 5 rounded lobes. Grows in shallow standing water, stream edges, at low to mid elevations. Native to Europe, as is the similar M. sylvatica, which has light blue flowers to 1/3 in. across, a garden escapee growing in moist shady places in urban areas and mountains but not in standing water or streams.

• Rarity: Uncommon
• Flowering Time: Late Spring, Early Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 8--24 inches
• Habitat: Bog/Fen/Wetland, Disturbed
• Found In: Great Basin, Olympic Np, N Cascades Np
• Native: No