Many of us have seen the true forget-me-not (Myositis scorpiodes). It is, however, a European species. The native smaller forget-me-not is similar to the European, but with smaller (1/8 to 1/4 inch wide) and somewhat paler flowers. The flower still has the five typical light blue petals and a yellow center. Unlike the larger species, the smaller forget-me-not does not have a creeping, spreading tendency. The flowers are clustered on the end of a flowering branch and, like the European species, form as the end of the flower stalk unrolls. The five calyx lobes are one half the length of the calyx, but shorter than the flower stalk.

The leaves are long and narrow and alternate on the stem and may also have small hairs. The basal leaves are egg-shaped. The thin, weak stem is covered with small stiff hairs and often bends over. The plant grows 6-20 inches long and grows in wet ground or shallow water. It is native to Eastern Canada and northeastern United States, but south to Georgia in the mountains. It is also found on the West Coast. It also has a native distribution that includes much of the northern circumpolar region of the world.

The plant blooms from May to October. Because of the size of the flowers, I will add it to my "be it ever so humble” list of plants. It is also commonly called tufted forget-me-not, mouse-ear forget-me-not, and small-flowered forget-me-not. Some northwest Native American tribes used this plant as a love charm.