Myosotis latifolia
Broadleaved forget-me-not
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Myosotis latifolia (Broadleaved forget-me-not) is a non-native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by largest flowers and leaves, woody-based perennial.
Broadleaved forget-me-not is a naturalized perennial found in the northern Coast Ranges, central Coast Ranges, and San Francisco Bay Area in moist, disturbed, and shady places at elevations below 460 meters. Flowering from February to July, this plant produces pink flowers that turn blue, with a delicate salverform corolla 5 to 10 millimeters in diameter and prominent yellow appendages. Growing with stems up to 70 centimeters tall and a woody base, it develops distinctive foliage with large basal ovate leaves and oblong cauline leaves. Its leaves range from broad ovate at the base to oblong on the stem, creating a varied leaf profile. The fruit consists of small dark brown nutlets 2 to 3 millimeters long, which are wider than the plant's style.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; largest flowers and leaves, woody-based perennial
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist, disturbed, shady places
Elevation: < 460 m
California counties: San Mateo, Marin, Alameda, Monterey, San Francisco, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Humboldt, San Luis Obispo, Mendocino, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Merced, Contra Costa, Santa Barbara
Outside California: South America, native to northwestern Africa
Bloom period
Myosotis latifolia blooms Feb-Jul.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Hackelia: Myosotis has smooth seeds; Hackelia seeds have hooked barbs that grab clothing.; vs Plagiobothrys: Myosotis flowers are bright blue with flat, round faces; Plagiobothrys flowers are white and more tubular.; vs Adelinia: Myosotis has bright blue flowers with yellow eyes; Adelinia flowers are typically white.; vs Cynoglossum: Myosotis has smooth seeds; Cynoglossum has barbed seeds forming dense burrs.; vs Cryptantha: Myosotis has flat blue flowers with yellow centers; Cryptantha has tiny white tubular flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Myosotis latifolia native to California?
No. Myosotis latifolia is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Myosotis latifolia bloom?
Myosotis latifolia blooms Feb-Jul.
Where in California does Myosotis latifolia grow?
Myosotis latifolia occurs in San Mateo, Marin, Alameda, Monterey, San Francisco, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Humboldt and other counties, at elevations of < 460 m.
What plant family does Myosotis latifolia belong to?
Myosotis latifolia is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Myosotis.
Is Myosotis latifolia invasive in California?
Myosotis latifolia is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.