Description: This annual plant is about 3-10" long, branching occasionally toward the base. Smaller plants in sunlight are more or less erect, while larger plants in shade have a tendency to sprawl across the ground. The stems are light green and hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 1" long and 1/3" (8 mm.) across; they are oblong to oblong-lanceolate, medium green, sessile, and hairy. The leaf margins are smooth and ciliate. The upper stems terminate in elongated racemes of flowers; the raceme of the central stem eventually occupies over one-half the length of the plant. Each flower is about 1/8" (3 mm.) across and ¼" long, consisting of a 5-lobed blue corolla, a hairy green calyx with 5 linear-lanceolate teeth, a 4-celled pistil with a single style, and 5 stamens. The hairy pedicels are shorter than the flowers (about 1/8" or 3 mm. in length). The corolla has a small cup-like or funnel shape and it lacks a yellow center. The blooming period occurs from late-spring into the summer and can last several months. Each flower is replaced by 4 small nutlets. This plant spreads by reseeding itself. It can form loose colonies of plants in open areas.
Cultivation:
Small-Flowered Forget-Me-Not can be found in full sun to light shade,
mesic to dry conditions, and loamy or sandy soil (especially the
latter). Where ground vegetation is sparse, it can reseed itself
aggressively.
Range & Habitat:
This non-native weedy plant is widely scattered in Illinois and
uncommon (see Distribution
Map). It is more common in the northeast and eastern Great
Lakes region. Small-Flowered Forget-Me-Not was accidentally introduced
into North America
from Eurasia. Habitats include campgrounds and picnic areas in parks,
sandy lawns, fields, and waste areas. Disturbed areas are strongly
preferred.
Faunal Associations:
Little is known about the floral-faunal relationships of this plant and
similar species. Small bees and flies probably seek nectar from the
flowers, although the latter are capable of self-pollination in their
absence. The flea beetle Longitarsus melanurus
feeds on this species and other members of the Borage family. The
foliage probably isn't very toxic, therefore it may be eaten
occasionally by
rabbits and other mammalian herbivores.
Photographic
Location:
A picnic area of a park in Vermilion County, Illinois.
Comments:
Small-Flowered Forget-Me-Not is a weedy little plant that is easily
overlooked. The tiny flowers are not very showy, unless they are
examined up-close. It has smaller flowers (only 1/8" or 3 mm. across)
than many
other Myosotis spp. (Forget-Me-Not species), and
its flowers lack yellow centers. A similar species from Eurasia, Myosotis
arvensis (Field Forget-Me-Not), is similar in appearance, but
it has flowers with yellow centers and its pedicels are longer than the
flowers. Thus far, Field Forget-Me-Not has not been found in Illinois,
although it occurs in some eastern states. Another species, Myosotis
verna (Spring Forget-Me-Not), has white flowers that are
slightly larger in size than those of Small-Flowered Forget-Me-Not.