Forget-me-nots are small, intensely blue flowers familiar across the globe. Determining their single place of origin is complex because the common name refers to the genus Myosotis, which includes approximately 80 to 100 species. These species belong to the borage family (Boraginaceae) and have varied native habitats across the planet. To accurately answer the question of their native range, one must distinguish between the origins of the most commonly cultivated species and the evolutionary centers of the entire genus.
The Primary Native Range of Common Species
The forget-me-nots most frequently encountered in gardens and wild spaces across the Northern Hemisphere trace their ancestry back to Eurasia. The species most widely recognized and grown worldwide is the wood forget-me-not, Myosotis sylvatica, which is native to Europe and parts of Asia. This species thrives in shaded or partially shaded habitats, typically along woodland edges and in moist, rich soil conditions.
Another familiar plant is the water forget-me-not, Myosotis scorpioides. Its native distribution spans from Europe eastward into Siberia, making it a widespread Eurasian native. This species is ecologically distinct, preferring much wetter environments such as the banks of streams, ponds, and moist meadows, sometimes growing in shallow standing water.
Other species like the alpine forget-me-not, Myosotis alpestris, originate in the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia. This species is adapted to rocky, high-altitude environments, showing the ecological diversity even within the Eurasian-native plants. The blue flowers with their characteristic yellow or white centers are a feature of these Eurasian species.
Global Centers of Myosotis Diversity
While the common cultivated forget-me-nots are Eurasian, the genus Myosotis has a second, significant center of diversity located in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in New Zealand. New Zealand is considered an evolutionary hotspot for the genus, hosting over 40 native species, nearly all of which are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. This concentration of unique species highlights the importance of this region to the plant’s evolutionary history.
Geographical isolation has allowed these species to evolve into forms distinct from their Northern Hemisphere relatives. Many New Zealand Myosotis species are adapted to unique habitats, including alpine zones, and exhibit specialized forms like cushion growth habits. The high level of endemism found in the region is a result of this long period of isolation and adaptation to the local environment.
The New Zealand center of diversity represents a Southern Hemisphere species radiation, suggesting these species formed the ancestral stock for forget-me-nots found in Australia and South America. Conservation managers in New Zealand consider the genus a high priority because a large number of these endemic species are currently considered threatened or at risk.
How Forget-Me-Nots Became Global
The widespread presence of forget-me-nots outside their native Eurasian range is largely the result of human activity and the plant’s inherent adaptability. European settlers intentionally introduced species like Myosotis sylvatica and Myosotis scorpioides to new continents for ornamental cultivation. The appeal of their bright blue flowers and their symbolism of remembrance made them popular additions to gardens worldwide.
Beyond deliberate planting, the plants’ ability to spread rapidly has led to their naturalization in many temperate regions, including large parts of North America. Both M. sylvatica and M. scorpioides are known for their prolific self-seeding, which allows them to easily escape cultivation and establish themselves in the wild. This self-sowing habit is a major factor in their global expansion.
The plants’ ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions contributed to their success in new environments. Once established, they can spread by both seed and rhizomes, often forming dense stands that compete with local native flora. Their broad distribution across continents like North America, where they are considered non-native and sometimes invasive, demonstrates the difference between a plant’s native origin and its naturalized status.