Forget-Me-Not, the common name in several languages (Ger. Vergissmeinnicht, Fr. ne-moubliez-pai,) of the plant myosotis palustris (With.), of the family horraginaceoe; other species of the genus are called scorpion grass. The forget-me-not is common throughout Europe, and is sparingly naturalized in this country. It assumes a varied aspect according to its situation, being dwarf, rough, and hairy in dry places, as on old walls, but becoming larger and smoother in muddy ditches. It does well when planted in shady places in the garden, or even if cultivated in pots, and is a charming plant in spring and early summer. Its flowers are borne in slender curving racemes, bending at the top like a scorpion's tail, whence it was formerly called M. scorpioides. Its bright blue flowers are in many countries considered the emblem of friendship. The variety laxa, which differs from the type in having smaller flowers upon longer stalks, is a native of this country, and common in wet places at the north. M. verna (Nuttall), a little, grayish, pubescent annual, from 5 to 12 in. high, with a very small whitish corolla, is quite common upon dry rocks, where the soil is very thin and parched, the plant disappearing on the approach of hot weather.

M. arvensis is sometimes found, and supposed to be introduced; and M. versicolor, another European species, grows in fields in Delaware. Several species besides M. palustris are in cultivation, as well as some garden varieties; among the most conspicuous of these are M. dissitifora, M. Azorica, and M. alpestre. The generic name (Gr. ) means mouse-ear, and this is the popular name of some of the species in England. - It is a singular fact in the history of popular nomenclature, that about 200 years ago the name forget-me-not was used for a species of ajuga (bugle), for the reason that this plant when chewed left such an unpleasant taste in the mouth that it was not likely to be soon forgotten.

Forget-me-not (Myosotis palustris).