Myosotis

views updated May 29 2018

Myosotis (forget-me-not; family Boraginaceae) A genus of hairy herbs that have simple, alternate leaves, and curved (scorpioid) cymes of small flowers each with a 5-lobed calyx. The 5-lobed, wheel-shaped corolla may be pink at first, then blue. Forget-me-nots are much cultivated for their flowers. There are some 50 species, occurring in temperate regions.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

myosotis

views updated May 29 2018

myosotis plant of the genus so named. XIX. — L. — Gr. muosōtís, f. muós, g. of mûs MOUSE + oûs, ōt- EAR1; so called from the soft hairy leaves.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD