Myosotis micrantha
Small-flowered forget-me-not
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Boraginaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Myosotis micrantha (Small-flowered forget-me-not) is a non-native California herb in the Boraginaceae family, recognized by smallest flowers and compact habit distinctive.
Small-flowered forget-me-not is a naturalized annual found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and North Coast mountains in disturbed open areas, roadsides, and streambanks at elevations of 500 to 1,650 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces deep blue flowers tiny and wide-funnel-shaped, approximately 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter. Growing with slender stems less than 20 centimeters tall, this plant forms sparse branches near its base and displays a slightly hairy or rough-textured growth habit. Its leaves are predominantly oblanceolate or oblong, generally smaller than 2 centimeters long, with hooked hairs particularly prominent on the leaf midrib. The tiny brown nutlets are notably larger than the plant's slender style, contributing to its delicate botanical structure.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; smallest flowers and compact habit distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Roadsides, streambanks, disturbed open areas
Elevation: 500-1650 m
Outside California: northern United States, southern Canada, native to Eurasia
Bloom period
Myosotis micrantha blooms Apr-Jun.
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 micrantha native to California?
No. Myosotis micrantha is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Myosotis micrantha bloom?
Myosotis micrantha blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Myosotis micrantha belong to?
Myosotis micrantha is in the Boraginaceae family, genus Myosotis.
What habitat does Myosotis micrantha grow in?
Myosotis micrantha grows in Uncommon. Roadsides, streambanks, disturbed open areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.