Wood forget-me-not facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wood forget-me-not |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Myosotis
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| Species: |
sylvatica
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Myosotis sylvatica, also known as the wood forget-me-not, is a pretty flowering plant from Europe. You've probably seen its bright blue flowers in gardens, especially in spring! These plants are famous for their small, charming blooms.
Contents
What it Looks Like
The wood forget-me-not is a plant that lives for a short time, usually one or two years. It grows about 12 to 30 centimeters (5 to 12 inches) tall and 15 centimeters (6 inches) wide. Its leaves are a bit hairy.
In spring, it grows lots of flowers. These flowers start as pink buds. When they open, they are a bright sky-blue with yellow centers. The petals are flat and disc-shaped.
Plant Details
Experts describe this plant with a few key features:
- It can grow up to 50 centimeters (20 inches) tall.
- The stems are soft and hairy, with hairs sticking out.
- The sky-blue flowers are about 6–10 millimeters (0.2–0.4 inches) wide. They bloom from April to July.
- The part of the flower that holds the petals (called the sepal tube) has tiny hooked hairs.
- When the fruit is ready, it is dark brown and shiny.
- The sepals (leaf-like parts under the flower) spread out. This lets you see the ripe fruit inside.
- The leaves at the bottom of the plant have stalks and grow in a circle. The leaves higher up on the stem do not have stalks.
- You can often find these plants in woods, on rocky slopes, and on rock ledges. They are common in the British Isles.
Growing Forget-Me-Nots
People grow wood forget-me-nots all over the world in places with mild weather. They are often planted with other spring flowers like daffodils, tulips, and primulas. This creates beautiful flower beds in spring.
Usually, you plant the seeds one year, and the flowers bloom the next year. Even though the plants don't live very long, they often plant their own seeds. This means new plants will grow in the same spot next year! The leaves of these plants stay green all through the winter.
Different Types of Forget-Me-Nots
Myosotis sylvatica has many different types, called cultivars. These cultivars have flowers in shades of pink, blue, and white. Some popular ones include:
- ‘Bluesylva’: This type has won an award for being a great garden plant.
- ‘Blue Ball’: This is a small, round type with blue flowers. It also won an award!
- ‘Blue Basket’: A taller type with a deeper blue color.
- ‘Music’: This one stands up straight and has large flowers.
- ‘Pompadour’: A small, ball-shaped plant with big rose-pink flowers.
- ‘Snowball’: This type has white flowers.
- ‘Ultramarine’: A very small plant with very deep blue flowers.
- ‘Victoria Rose’: This type has bright pink flowers.
Where Do They Grow?
The wood forget-me-not is found in many places. In the British Isles, it is common in England, Wales, and the Isle of Man. It is less common further north in Scotland. You can find it along the east coast of Scotland and in some areas in the South West. However, it is mostly missing from the Highlands, Orkney, Shetland, and the Outer Hebrides. In Ireland, it is mostly found in Northern Ireland, with a few spots in the Republic of Ireland.
Images for kids
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Close up of calyx, background lines are 5mm apart
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Calyx in its stem
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Close up of flower, background square is 5mm across
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Flower head - note how flat the petals are
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Calyx with mature fruit inside, background lines are 5mm apart
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Side 1 of mature fruit, background lines are 5mm apart
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Side 2 of mature fruit, background lines are 5mm apart
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Close up of stem, background square is 5mm across
