Myosotis alpestris
Alpine Forget-Me-Not
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Genus
- Myosotis
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.2 m
- Spread
- 0.3 m
- Fertility
- Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera
Uses
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
The whole plant is astringent and ophthalmic[7]. Used as a lotion, it is an excellent remedy for many eye diseases[7]. It is also ground into a powder and applied externally to wounds, at one time the leaf juice was used to stop nose bleeds[7]. The plant is harvested in May and can be dried for later use[7].
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
Environment
- Range
- Britain, Europe, W. Asia and N. America.
- Habitat
- Rare and local in Britain, growing in damp woodlands and meadows, usually on basic rock formations[2][4].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - sow outdoors in situ in late spring or early summer. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 4 weeks at 20°c. Division in spring[1]. Large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of young shoots, summer in a shady border[1].
Cultivation
Prefers a well-drained gritty soil[6]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[3]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[5]. The flowers are deliciously fragrant in the evening and night time though there is little or no scent in the daytime[6].
References
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5