Myosotis petiolata var. pansa

Myosotis petiolata var. pansa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	(unplaced)
Family:	Boraginaceae
Genus:	Myosotis
Species:	M. petiolata
Variety:	M. p. var. pansa
Trinomial name
Myosotis petiolata var. pansa

Myosotis petiolata var. pansa, also known as the Waitakere forget-me-not, is a species of forget-me-not endemic to New Zealand. Its natural range is west coast of the North Island from Muriwai Beach, west of Auckland to White Cliffs, northern Taranaki.^[1] It always grows close to the sea, within open forest or scrub, and more open habitats such as the base of cliffs.^[2] It is also however well adapted to garden use with vibrant green foliage and well presented white flowers (which appear over a long period in summer).

Myosotis petiolata var. pansa forms rosettes up to 200 mm across with flowering stems to 300 mm tall. Leaves are spoon-shaped, variable in size. The leaf blade is usually up to 35 mm long by 25 mm wide, covered with short stiff hairs that lie flat, with a petiole as long as the blade of the leaf. There are often several multi-flowered inflorescences per plant. Flowers are 10–15 mm in diameter, white with yellow scales around the throat.^[1]

Myosotis petiolata var. pansa grows in a similar manner to the classic garden forget-me-not, insofar as it is a short-lived perennial which self-seeds freely once established. It is, however, superior to its European relative as its foliage does not become bulky and scruffy in the way that M. sylvatica does at the end of a season.

References