Some Remarks on the Small-Flowered Forgetmenots

In early botanical history the conception of species concerning the small-flowered fortgemenots was still indefinite and uncertain. Even the genus Myosotis was only differentiated in 1719 by J. J. Dillenius from Cerastium, Echium, and Alsine. The latter genera were considered synonyms by authors such as M. Lobelius (1581) and G. Bauhin (1671). Similarly, C. Linnaeus did not differentiate between the smallflowered species of Myosotis. He records in his “Species Plantarum” (1753), besides species that are less relevant in this connection: M. scorpioides: M. feminibus nudis foliorum apicibus callosis a arvensis Myosotis foliis hirsutis β palustris Myosotis foliis glabris. Fortunately I had the opportunity to view some specimens of his collection. The Herbarium of the Hortus Cliffortianus (BM) contained M. scorpioides a arvensis and M. scorpioides β palustris. The former was a young plant, in early flower, but as far as foliage, hairiness and habit were concerned, it undoubtedly belongs to M. arvensis (L.) Hill. The Linnean Herbarium (LINN) contained some forgetmenots which arc recorded in Savage’s Catalogue as: 180, M. scorpioides 180, 2 K(alm) 180, 3 M. foliorum apicibus callosis Gmelin After studying these plants I am of the opinion that they can be named as follows: 180, 1 M. hispida Schldl. 180, 2 M. discolor Pers. 180, 3 3 specimens of the palustris group 1 specimen M. arvensis (L.) Hill.