Stem: Weak and trailing at the base. Small flowered: 10-40 cm long, does not form roots. Common: 20-60 cm tall, often forms roots and new plants at the nodes (stolons).

Flower: Tiny, short-stalked flowers have 5 blue petals with a yellow center and are arranged along the outside of the coiled stem tip. Blooms from June to September. Small flowered: 2-5 mm wide. The base of the petals forms a tube less than or equal to length of the petal lobes. Common: 5-10 mm wide. The base of the petals forms a tube longer than length of the petal lobes.

Fruit: Small (each less than 2 mm across), shiny, brown to black "nutlets" in clusters of 4 per flower.

Root: Fibrous roots develop along the creeping stem of common forget-me-not.

Propagation: Seeds; common forget-me-not forms new plants at the nodes of creeping stolons.

Importance of plant: Some Pacific Northwest Native Americans used small flowered forget-me-not as a "love charm." Also had historical uses by other cultures to treat dog or snake bites. Common forget-me-not is sold as an aquatic garden plant.

Distribution:  Small flowered: scattered distribution worldwide, and from the east base of the Cascades to the coast in Washington. Common: European species, now introduced and widespread in Oregon and Washington.

Habitat: Moist open areas, margins of ditches, ponds, and lakes, and sometimes in shallow water.

May be confused with: Other species of forget-me-not (Myosotis spp.) which generally do not grow in water. Also may be confused with popcorn flowers (Plagiobothrys spp.) which have longer, narrower leaves and white flowers.

Photographs: Myosotis laxa, Myosotis scorpioides