Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 131 (1753).

Derivation: Greco-Latin name of the European forget-me-not, which is based on the resemblance of the leaves to ears of a mouse or a rat.

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Forget-me-nots.

Description:
Annuals or perennials, more or less branched, covered usually with hairs of the same size; leaves usually densely clustered and petiolate at the base becoming sessile and widely spaced on the stems.

Inflorescence with 1 to several monochasia erect or recurved, with flowers usually at first densely arranged in 2 rows becoming more widely spaced and pedicellate when fruiting, usually without bracts; sepals more or less connate basally, usually strongly elongating after flowering; corolla regular, usually funnel-shaped, glabrous; stamens inserted just below the throat of the corolla tube, with anthers almost sessile, and with or without a small terminal appendage; ovary 4-lobed, usually with a basal nectary, with a style inserted well above to near the base, slender, including a scarcely bulging stigma; fruit with 4 mericarps splitting from the central gynobase.

Mericarps ellipsoid, dorsiventrally compressed and usually with a sharp rim, smooth and glossy.

Distribution:  An Old World genus of about 50 species, mainly Eurasian but extending to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand; 2 species native to and 4 species naturalised in Australia.

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: Among the various species commonly grown in gardens M. palustris (L.)Hill is more usually placed in the species complex of M. scorpioides L.

Key to Species:

1. Inflorescence with forward-directed spreading hairs; hooked hairs on the base of the calyx dense and usually long	M. australis 1.
1. Inflorescence with forward-directed appressed hairs; hooked hairs on the base of the calyx short and sparse
2. Basal leaves to I cm broad; corolla lobes c. 1 mm long	M. discolor 2.
2. Basal leaves 1.5-3 cm broad; corolla lobes 3-5 mm long	M. sylvatica 3.

Author: Not yet available