Myosotis alpestris, F. W. Schmidt

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1972, Flora Europaea. Volume 3. Diapensiacea to Myoporaceae, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 114-115

21. M. alpestris F. W. Schmidt , Fl. Boëm. 3: 26 (1794)

(TVf. sylvatica subsp. alpestris (F. W. Schmidt) Gams ).

Stems 5- 35 cm. Basal leaves petiolate or sessile; cauline very variable, ovate, elliptical, spathulate or linear. Pedicels directed upwards in fruit, not longer than calyx. Calyx up to 7 mm and often much enlarged in fruit, densely hairy, with or without hooked bristles. Corolla-limb up to 9 mm in diameter, bright or deep blue. Nutlets up to 2-5 mm, ovoid to ellipsoid, blunt, with rim only in the distal half; attachment-area wide, elliptical, elongated laterally into 2 grooves, often extending towards the base. 2n = 24, 48, 72 (70). Mountains o f Europe, from Scotland and the Carpathians to N. Spain and Bulgaria. Au Br Bu Cz Ga Ge He Hs It Ju Po Rm Rs (W).

Very variable, with many local forms. Small mat-forming plants with straight, appressed calyx-hairs from S. Jugoslavia have been described as M. mrkvickana Velen. , Rei. Mrkvick. 22 (1922).