Forget-me-not

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Forget-me-not
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: (unplaced) Family: Boraginaceae Subfamily: Boraginoideae Genus: Myosotis
Species
about 50

Myosotis (pronounced /ˌmaɪ.əˈsoʊtɪs/;^[1] from the Greek: "mouse's ear", after the leaf) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae that are commonly called Forget-me-nots. Its common name was calqued from the French, "ne m'oubliez pas" and first used in English in c.1532. Similar names and variations are found in many languages.

Contents 1 Description 2 Folklore and legend 3 Selected species 4 Gallery 5 In popular culture 5.1 Literature 5.2 Organizations 5.3 Songs 5.4 Television 6 References

[edit] Description

There are approximately fifty species in the genus, with much variation. A considerable number of the species have small (1 cm diameter or less) rather flat, 5-petalled blue flowers growing profusely on straggly stems, flowering in spring. Color variation is somewhat frequent within species, and white or pink forms are common. They are popular in gardens, and cultivated forms often show a mixture of colours. Forget-me-nots prefer shade.

Forget-me-nots can be annual or perennial plants. Their root systems are generally diffuse. Their seeds are found in small, tulip-shaped pods along the stem to the flower. The pods attach to clothing when brushed against and eventually fall off, leaving the small seed within the pod to germinate elsewhere. Seeds can be collected by putting a piece of paper under the stems and shaking them. The seed pods and some seeds will fall out.

They are widely distributed. Most Myosotis species are endemic to New Zealand, though one or two European species, especially the Wood Forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvatica have been introduced in most of the temperate regions of Europe, Asia and America. Myosotis scorpioides is also known as scorpion grass.

Forget-me-nots are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Setaceous Hebrew Character.

[edit] Folklore and legend

In a German legend, God named all the plants when a tiny unnamed one cried out, "Forget-me-not, O Lord!" God replied, "That shall be your name."^[2] In another legend, the little flower cried out, "Forget-me-not!" as Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden. ^[2]

The Christ Child was sitting on Mary's lap one day and said that he wished that future generations could see her eyes. He touched her eyes and then waved his hand over the ground and blue forget-me-nots appeared, hence the name forget-me-not.^{[citation needed]}

Henry IV adopted the flower as his symbol during his exile in 1398, and retained the symbol upon his return to England the following year.^[2]

In the 15th century Germany, it was supposed that the wearers of the flower would not be forgotten by their lovers. Legend has it that in medieval times, a knight and his lady were walking along the side of a river. He picked a posy of flowers, but because of the weight of his armour he fell into the river. As he was drowning he threw the posy to his loved one and shouted "Forget-me-not". This is a flower connected with romance and tragic fate. It was often worn by ladies as a sign of faithfulness and enduring love. Most people use these in weddings for love.

[edit] Selected species

• Myosotis alpina
• Myosotis australis
• Myosotis azorica
• Myosotis caespitosa, or Tufted Forget-me-not
• Myosotis colensoi
• Myosotis decumbens
• Myosotis nemorosa
• Myosotis secunda, or Creeping Forget-me-not
• Myosotis sicula, or Jersey Forget-me-not

[edit] Gallery

Myosotis laxa (Tufted Forget-me-not)	Myosotis ramosissima (Early Forget-me-not)
Myosotis alpestris	Myosotis discolor	Myosotis scorpioides	Myosotis sylvatica

[edit] In popular culture

In the United States, Myosotis alpestris is the state flower of Alaska.

[edit] Literature

Henry David Thoreau wrote, "The mouse-ear forget-me-not, Myosotis laxa, has now extended its racemes (?) very much, and hangs over the edge of the brook. It is one of the most interesting minute flowers. It is the more beautiful for being small and unpretending; even flowers must be modest."^[3]

In Evangeline, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote,

Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of Heaven,

Blossom the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.

In his 1947 long poem "Notes Toward a Supreme Fiction," Wallace Stevens mentions the forget-me-not, using its scientific Greek-derived name:

...It observes the effortless weather turning blue

And sees the myosotis on its bush."

In the popular series Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling frequently attributes nature and objects, generally attire, with the color "forget-me-not-blue"

[edit] Organizations

In 1948 the little blue Forget Me Not^[4] flower, or badge, was adopted as a Masonic emblem at the first Annual Convention of the United Grand Lodges of Germany, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons.^[5] The flower, or badge, is now universally worn as a Masonic emblem in the coat lapel to remember all those that have suffered in the name of Freemasonry, and specifically those during the Nazi era.^[5][6]

The forget-me-not is a traditional symbol of Alpha Phi International Fraternity, the fourth Greek-lettered sorority for women, founded at Syracuse University in 1872. The flower is also a symbol of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, which was founded in 1925 at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. And also a symbol of Scouts Royale Brotherhood International Service Fraternity and Sorority was founded at San Sebastian College Manila Philippines since 1975 September 22.

The Alzheimer Society of Canada's symbol is the forget-me-not flower. The symbol represents memory loss - one of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.^[7]

In Canada, Forget-me-nots are traditionally worn by Newfoundlanders on July 1 in remembrance of those Newfoundlanders who died during the First World War. July 1 was chosen because of the high number of casualties suffered by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment on 1 July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme.

[edit] Songs

The Forget-me-not is mentioned in Patrice Rushen's "Forget Me Nots," Saves the Day's "Holly Hox, Forget Me Nots," Green Day's "Are We The Waiting," Eisbrecher's "Vergissmeinnicht," Josef Myrow/Mack Gordons "You make me feel so young" and in the classic "Once Upon a Summertime" by Eddie Barclay, Michel Legrand, Eddy Marnay, Johnny Mercer. Also, "Forget Me Nots", written by Elana James, is featured on The Hot Club of Cowtown's 2002 album "Ghost Town". Raymond Yiu added music to William McGonagall's words in his work Forget-Me-Knot in 2003.

[edit] Television

Fifi Forget-me-not, an anthropomorphic forget-me-not, is the main protagonist of the children's TV show Fifi and the Flowertots. It was also mentioned in the Sailor Moon R Movie.

[edit] References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Myosotis