Waitakere forget-me-not facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Myosotis pansa subsp. pansa |
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| Conservation status | |
 Nationally Critical (NZ TCS) |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Boraginales |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Genus: | Myosotis |
| Species: |
M. pansa
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| Subspecies: |
M. p. subsp. pansa
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| Trinomial name | |
| Myosotis pansa subsp. pansa |
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The Myosotis pansa subsp. pansa, also known as the Waitakere forget-me-not, is a special kind of forget-me-not flower. It is endemic, which means it grows naturally only in New Zealand.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Waitakere forget-me-not grows in a shape called a rosette. This is like a circle of leaves close to the ground. These rosettes can spread out up to 200 millimeters (about 8 inches) wide.
Its flowering stems can grow up to 300 millimeters (about 12 inches) tall. The leaves are shaped like spoons and can be different sizes. Each leaf blade is usually up to 35 millimeters long and 25 millimeters wide. They are covered with short, flat hairs. The stem of the leaf, called a petiole, is about as long as the leaf blade itself.
This plant often has many flower clusters on each plant. The flowers are white and measure 10 to 15 millimeters across. They have yellow scales in the middle, around the throat of the flower.
Where Does It Live?
This special forget-me-not naturally lives on the west coast of the North Island in New Zealand. You can find it from Bethell's Beach, which is west of Auckland, down to Ngarupupu Point in Waikato.
It often grows near the sea. You might see it in open forests or scrubland. It also likes more open places, like at the bottom of cliffs. This plant is also good for gardens. It has bright green leaves and pretty white flowers that bloom for a long time in summer.
Its Scientific Name
The Waitakere forget-me-not was first described as a different type of plant. But after looking closely at its shape and its genes, scientists now call it M. pansa subsp. pansa. This is its official scientific name.
How to Grow It
This forget-me-not grows in a similar way to the common garden forget-me-not. It is a short-lived perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years but not forever. It also drops its seeds easily, so new plants can grow on their own once it is settled.
The Waitakere forget-me-not is even better than its European relatives. Its leaves stay neat and green. They do not get messy or bulky at the end of the growing season like some other forget-me-nots do.
Is It Safe? (Conservation Status)
The Waitakere forget-me-not is a very important plant to protect. In 2017, it was listed as "Threatened - Nationally Critical" for plants in New Zealand. This means it is in great danger of disappearing forever if we do not protect it.
