Forget-me-not (Myosotis)
These pretty flowers, usually dressed in blue, but sometimes appearing in pink or white, flower for a few weeks in the spring. They are dying back now, to reappear next year, without fuss or special care.
The yellow centres indicate that the flowers are full of nectar. When the flower has been pollinated, the centres turn white. This indicates to bees and other pollinators, that the flowers are no longer offering nectar, the food they are seeking. The cupboard is bare, and they should look elsewhere.
A podcast from the BBC, ‘In Our Time,’ hosted by a rather elderly-sounding Melvyn Bragg (he’s now 85) gives a detailed account of pollination. The programme lasts for fifty minutes, but all the contributors are experts, and so are fascinating to listen to.
Did you
know that bees can count, and recognise images of human faces?
Each petal is so perfectly shaped, the photo of the flowers together looks like a painting. And that very pale blue colour looks mystical.
ReplyDeleteI like natural symmetry.
DeleteInformative. I didn't know any of this.
ReplyDeleteThe podcast is well worth listening to, if it works in Canada.
DeleteThe lilac is so beautiful, lilac was one of my mum's favourites. I knew that bees can recognise faces and when buzzing around they become agitated at seeing someone who has treated them badly, like swatting them away etc. I didn't know they could count, but that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteBees are clever little beasts!
DeleteOne of my very favorite flowers. The blue is so heavenly. We had a small patch by our creek path but they disappeared three years ago. Imagine my delight when I recently found a few blooming in nearby grass that fortunately had not yet been mowed!
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased for you that your forget-me-nots have survived. I like them very much.
DeleteI love forgetmenots, great childhood memories. And I got some to grow from seed last year, so I'm hoping they've reseeded. Interesting about the nectar.
ReplyDeleteThey pretty much look after themselves, which makes them keepers in my book!
DeleteI had no idea about the color-changing centers. Thank you for the information.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting, isn't it? There's so much we don't know.
DeleteI love forget me nots, such a delightful and delicate little flower. Fascinating to learn more about them. Thank you for sharing that.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise.
DeleteFascinating how these flowers signal pollinators with their color change—nature’s own traffic light—and I had no idea bees could count and recognise faces; I’ll have to check out that podcast!
ReplyDeleteIt's a very interesting podcast, so I hope you can access it.
DeleteHi Janice - Melvyn Bragg is brilliant isn't he ... I missed this one. I hadn't realised the 'yellow' meant there was nectar left. I knew some of the facts ... we're learning so much. Great post - so informative - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteMelvyn Bragg's voice may sound elderly, but he's still as sharp as ever.
DeleteThey are beautiful flowers, sadly every time I plant them I see them the following year and then they are gone, another casualty of our clay soil.
ReplyDeleteThat is a shame.
DeleteWell! 2 new facts for me. Thank you
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. 😀
DeleteOurs have gone already. An all too brief burst of beauty.
ReplyDelete. . . but they'll be back. faithful little flowers.
DeleteBeautiful photo and I love blue flowers. Also enjoy learning new information, thank you. I love my bees but I did not know the last thing.
ReplyDeleteWe need to encourage our bees - they are essential.
DeleteI am familiar with forget-me-nots but I had no idea about the centers. I learned something new today.
ReplyDeleteWe don't know what we don't know - there's so much still to learn.
DeleteI didn't know that about the centres of forget-me-nots changing colour, but I think I've heard the same about some tree flowers - can't remember which, though! I also did not know that bees can recognise human faces.
ReplyDeleteNature is truly amazing.
DeleteOurs are just beginning to flower. They are descendants of those planted by my dad in our faraway home of 45 years past, so they are meaningful. I tend to post some photos each year, but I don’t know if I will do it again this year. I didn’t know about pollination and turning colour. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteThey are really special for you - wonderful.
DeleteWhat beautiful blossoms! Thank you for this post, Janice!
DeleteThat was me.
ReplyDeleteThank you, RWP.
DeleteI love Forget-me-nots but never knew there was a meaning to the color of the center. I always learn fun and interesting things here.
ReplyDeleteLittle things can indicate a lot.
DeleteThe forget-me-not are gorgeous, and they come back all by themselves. My kind of flower.
ReplyDeleteLots more interesting info
Flowers that take care of themselves are always welcome.
DeleteInteresting facts about these flowers. I have always heard that the hummingbirds can recognize faces. Happy Mother's Day...
ReplyDeleteHope your day has been a happy one.
DeleteGood for the bees to know where the pantry is full and where the cupboard is bare. Nature is amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt means they don't have to waste energy looking in the cupboard!
DeleteHow interesting, I never knew this! xxx
ReplyDeleteNature is fascinating.
DeleteI did not know that about forget-me-not
ReplyDeleteI discover something new every day.
DeleteI've always liked forget-me-knots but I too had no idea about the colour changing centre. Nature is so clever :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
We could learn so much from Nature.
DeleteOh I love them ! I have blue, pink and white in the garden and I’m just about to sow more for next year. I’ll listen to the podcast tomorrow! 😁
ReplyDeleteWe receive packets of forget-me-not seeds from our vets whenever they write a condolence note. It's a lovely thought.
DeleteI remember in my childhood forget-me-nots popping up anywhere in the garden. Bees are incredible to study and learn about.
ReplyDeleteWe need bees. We would lose so much without them.
DeleteDid not know that about bees.
ReplyDeleteFascinating, clever little creatures.
Delete