Botanical name:

Myosotis petiolata

Common name(s):

Forget-me-not

About:

This particular forget-me-not was originally discovered in a small, specific area near Opotiki and may, unfortunately, no longer exist in the wild due to various environmental pressures. Its leaves are notably shorter and broader than those of the typical form, while the delicate white flowers are smaller than the blossoms produced by M. pansa. Both these captivating varieties thrive in either full sun or light shade and are not particularly fussy about the type of soil, provided it is well-drained and suitable for growth.

Natural habitat:

Lowland to montane forest. Apparently confined to limestone outcrops and associated soils.

Growing environment:

Sun, Shade, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North Island. Formerly recorded from several North Island Hawkes Bay localities and at one South Island site near Takaka, North West Nelson. A recent re-circumscription restricts M. petiolata to the eastern North Island where it is known now from only one site in the Te Waka Range, inland Hawkes Bay.

Height: 30cm

Flowering: 

November  - February with a white to yellow coloured flower/s 

Fruiting:

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Riparian plantings

How to grow:

Can be grown with difficulty from rooted pieces and fresh seed. Requires specialist knowledge and care to maintain. Tends to be rather short-lived.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though