What are the characteristics and symbolic meaning of forget-me-not?

Alternative names

Forget-me-not, also known as winged sea lavender, forget-me-not, winged sea lavender, star flower, sea lavender, everlasting flower, spoon-leaf flower, Statice, and sea lavender, is a plant of the genus Myosotis in the family Boraginaceae.

Morphological characteristics

Forget-me-not is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant, 30-60cm tall. Leaves are simple and alternate, oblanceolate; the lower leaves are petiolate, the upper leaves are sessile; the raceme is terminal, 10-15cm long; the calyx is small, 5-lobed; the corolla is salverform, with 5 lobes, blue, pink, or white, with a yellow throat. The flowering period is 4-5 months, and the small nutlets are brownish green; the fruiting period is 5-6 months.

Growth habits

Forget-me-not has strong adaptability, likes a dry and cool climate, avoids damp heat, likes light, is drought-tolerant, and the suitable growth temperature is 20℃-25℃. It is suitable for growing in loose, fertile, well-drained slightly alkaline soil.

Flower language

The flower language of forget-me-not is eternal love, deep affection and friendship, and an unchanging heart. Forget-me-not is the sentimental one among flowers. According to legend, in ancient Europe, a knight was touring the seaside with his beloved lover. His lover saw a bunch of flowers standing in the water and wanted to pick them to wear. To please her, the knight waded into the water to pick them, but unexpectedly was swept away by the surging tide. Before he was swept away, he did not forget to throw the flowers onto the shore and shout to his lover: "Do not forget me!". Thereafter, this flower was named forget-me-not and became a token of mutual love, deeply cherished by couples.

Varieties and uses

Complete list of types

The Algerian type has orange-yellow flowers, and the plant is more than 1 meter tall. The plant type is loose and slender, the flower color is brilliant, the flowering period is early, and the flower color lasts the longest.

The deep-waved leaf type has purple flowers, and the plant height is nearly 1 meter. The plant type is compact, and the stems are hard and sturdy. In addition, there are other flower color varieties, such as blue, white, orange-red, yellow, peach red, light red, purple red, and blue-green.

Forget-me-not varieties can also be divided into early-maturing and late-maturing types. Early-maturing varieties include Early Blue, Golden Coast, Blue Pearl, etc. Mid-to-late-maturing varieties include Iceberg, Night Blue, Blue Velvet, etc. Growers should fully understand variety characteristics and market demand in order to choose suitable varieties.

Efficacy and value

Ornamental use: Forget-me-not flowers are small and delicate, with many flower colors. Although ordinary, couples are willing to tie them into a bouquet and give it to their loved one to express deep love. Forget-me-not is often used as a cut flower. At present, what is sold in flower shops is not the real forget-me-not, but sea lavender. Selling sea lavender as forget-me-not is only to take its beautiful meaning.

Forget-me-not flower tea: Forget-me-not can be made into flower tea for drinking. It has the effects of nourishing yin and tonifying the kidney, beautifying the face, tonifying blood and nourishing blood, and can promote the body's metabolism, delay cell aging, delay cell aging, improve immunity, resist viruses, and resist cancer and prevent cancer. It can be used to treat and nourish blood and regulate menstruation, beautify the face, clear fire and brighten the eyes, freckles and acne, low immunity, viral infection, insufficient blood supply to the heart and brain, and other diseases.

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