Water Forget-me-not naming

[fbcpmike]

There seems to be some confusion over the correct name for Water Forget-me-not.

Web bases searches give Myosotis palustris & Myosotis scorpioides as the naming for these flowers where as my reference books only give M. palustris with no reference to M. scorpioides at all.

Whilst I am inclined to believe my books over the web does anybody have any info on this or pointers to an information source that will clear this up.

I'm actually trying to identify these attached piccys, the first one is Wood Forget-me-not and the other (2nd) might be Water Forget-me-not ?.

Mike

[Izzy]

Hi Mike,

I've just had a look in my copy of 'The Concise British Flora in Colour' - W Keble Martin 1969 and it gives Water Forget-me-not as:

Myosotis Scorpioides L. Water Forget-me-not M. palustris (L.) Cyme not bracteate; calys hairs appressed; short, trinangualr teeth, flowers 1/4in, style equaling calyx tube. Common by ponds and streams. Flo May-Oct

[Izzy]

Looking at the illustrations in Keble, the leaves on the second set are very different to Myosotis Scorpioides and more similar to something like Alkanet (Pentaglottis Sempervirens).

Hope this helps

[fbcpmike]

Thanks, I had basically come to the conclusion that the second photo was Alkanet, the confusion was over the Water Forget-me-not as I had found the double naming. As I said I was more inclined to believe my books over the net.

Again, many thanks.