Native Plant Alternatives to Myosotis scorpioides (Water Forget-Me-Not)

Myosotis scorpioides, commonly known as water forget-me-not, is native to Europe and Asia but has been introduced in other parts of the world, including North America.

This plant spreads via seed dispersal, and its preference for wetland habitats often leads it to outcompete native plants in these areas.

Its invasive potential is due to several factors, including its ability to produce a large number of seeds that spread easily by water, its capability to thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions, and its tendency to form dense mats of vegetation, which can outcompete native plant species.

Water Forget-Me-Not is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.