Myosotis azorica
Myosotis azorica, common name Azorean mouse-ear or Azorean forget-me-not, is a plant species endemic to the Azores Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Azorean forget-me not | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Boraginales |
Family: | Boraginaceae |
Genus: | Myosotis |
Species: | M. azorica |
Binomial name | |
Myosotis azorica H.C. Watson | |
Synonyms[2] | |
Myosotis maritima Hochst. ex Seub. |
Description
Myosotis azorica is a perennial herb with decumbent stems up to 30 cm (12 inches) tall. Leaves are lanceolate, clasping the stem, with numerous soft flexible hairs. Flowers are borne in "scorpioid cymes," i.e. on spirally curving stems resembling a scorpion's tail or a half-unfurled fiddlehead fern leaf. Flowers are deep blue-purple with a yellow center.[3][4]
Distribution
Myosotis azorica is endemic to the western Azores, occurring on the islands of São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo. It grows near waterfalls and on wet rocks and in wet meadows. Its native range covers less than 15 square kilometres (5.8 sq mi), with the total number of individuals estimated at less than 600, so the species is vulnerable.[5]
References
- Caldas, F.B. (2011). "Myosotis azorica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T161888A5509299. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
- The Plant List
- Watson, Hewett Cottrell. 1844. Myosotis azorica, Azorean mouse-ear or forget-me not. Botanical Magazine 70: t. 4122.
- Flora of the Azores, Governo dos Açores
- Barreto Caldas, F 2011. Myosotis azorica. In:IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.