Forget-me-not
The
Forget-me-nots are the
genus Myosotis of
flowering plants in the
family Boraginaceae.
There are about 50
species in the genus, and among them there is inevitably considerable variation. Nevertheless a considerable number of the species fit the same description, of a small (1 cm diameter) rather flat 5-petalled blue flower growing profusely on straggly stems, flowering in spring. Colour variation is not unusual within species, and white or pink forms are quite likely to be seen. They are popular in
gardenss, and cultivated forms often show a mixture of colours.
Forget-me-nots can be
annual or
perennial plants. Their root systems are generally diffuse. They are widely distributed, though one or two
European species, especially the Wood Forget-me-not,
Myosotis sylvatica have been
introduced in most of the temperate regions of the world.
Why "Forget-me-not"?
\nThe name was borrowed from Old French "ne m'oubliez mye" which was translated from German "Vergissmeinnicht". Loans and translations of it can be found in most European languages, like Swedish "forgätmigej", Romanian "nu mă uita", Hungarian "nefelejcs", Czech "nezabudka", Polish "niezapominajka", Italian "nontiscordardimé", Spanish "nomeolvides", etc.
In the
15th century Germany, it was supposed that the wearers of the flower will not be forgetten by their lovers.
Legend has it that in medieval times, a knight and his lady where 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.
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