Myosotis decumbens (Myosotis decumbens)
Description
Myosotis from the Greek: -------- "mouse's ear", after the leaf) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. In the northern hemisphere they are commonly called forget-me-nots or scorpion grasses. The common name "forget-me-not" was calqued from the German Vergissmeinnicht, and first used in English in 1398 AD via King Henry IV Similar names and variations are found in many languages. Myosotis alpestris is the state flower of Alaska. Plants of this genus are commonly confused with Chatham Islands forget-me-nots which belong to a related genus, Myosotidium. Over five hundred species names have been recorded, but there are only 74 accepted species. The rest are either synonyms of currently accepted names or submissions awaiting resolution. The genus is largely restricted to two discrete geographic centres: western Eurasia with about 60 confirmed species and New Zealand with around 40 confirmed species. Very small numbers of species occur elsewhere including North America, South America, and Papua New Guinea. Despite this, Mysosotis species are now common throughout temperate latitudes via the planting of cultivars and introductions of alien species. Many are popular in gardens, preferring moist habitats. In areas where they are not native, they have frequently escaped to wetlands and riverbanks. Only those native to the Northern hemisphere are commonly called Forget-me-not. It is equally possible that the genus originated in either the Northern Hemisphere or in New Zealand. One or two European species, especially the wood forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvatica have been introduced into most of the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Boraginales
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Family: Boraginaceae
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Genus: Myosotis
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