# Wood Forget-me-not (*Myosotis sylvatica*) The Wood Forget-me-not is a small, beautiful flower with tiny blue petals. It loves to grow in shady places and is often found near streams and in forests. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Wood Forget-me-not](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Myosotis_sylvatica_%28aka%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: André Karwath aka Aka, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Myosotis_sylvatica_%28aka%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Wood Forget-me-not has tiny sky-blue flowers, each with a bright yellow or white center, growing in loose clusters. Its stems and oval-shaped leaves are covered in soft, fine hairs, making it distinct from smoother-leaved varieties. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Boraginales - **Family:** Boraginaceae - **Genus:** Myosotis ## Interesting facts - Some gardeners call them 'friendly weeds' because they spread charming blue flowers everywhere! - The name 'Forget-me-not' comes from an old legend about true love and a river! - Their tiny seeds have clever hooks that help them hitchhike on animal fur or clothes! - These cheerful plants can even grow in tough spots, like cracks in sidewalks! ## Special abilities - **Early Nectar Source:** Wood Forget-me-not blooms early in the season, providing essential nectar and pollen for hungry pollinators. - **Fuzzy Defense:** Wood Forget-me-not has hairy stems and leaves that help protect it from some hungry herbivores and harsh weather. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-30 cm - **Spread:** 15-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Biennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from its tiny blue flowers. - **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — A common visitor, helping transfer pollen between blooms. - **Eaten by:** [Black Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Chews on leaves and tender young stems, especially in damp conditions. - **Eaten by:** [Roe Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/roe-deer) (*Capreolus capreolus*) — Browses on its foliage, especially in woodland clearings. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's best to look at flowers without picking them, so they can keep growing for everyone to enjoy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Wood Forget-me-not? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Wood Forget-me-not? 15-30 cm ### How wide does Wood Forget-me-not spread? 15-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on Wood Forget-me-not? 0.5-1 cm ### When does Wood Forget-me-not bloom? Spring to early summer ### Is Wood Forget-me-not edible? Yes ### Is Wood Forget-me-not toxic? None ### What is Wood Forget-me-not's lifecycle? Biennial ## Where to spot - [Bear Meadows Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bear-meadows-natural-area) — Pennsylvania, US · Nature Reserve - [Cambridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cambridge-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Martha Springer Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/martha-springer-botanical-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [California Academy of Sciences](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/california-academy-of-sciences-california) — California, US · Zoo - [California Academy of Sciences](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/california-academy-of-sciences) — California, US · Aquarium - [Plymouth Pillars Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/plymouth-pillars-park) — Washington, US · Park [View all places to see Wood Forget-me-not](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/wood-forget-me-not) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Wood Forget-me-not: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wood-forget-me-not)