The forget-me-not of the fields is a species with a wide Eurasian distribution, present in all regions of Italy. It grows in disturbed vegetation: in crops, flower beds, embankments, on rather fresh clay soils which are rich in bases and nitrogen compounds, from sea level to the montane belt (sometimes even higher, up to more than 2000 m). The species is very rare on the edge of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with dry meadows. The genus name derives from the Greek 'mys-myos' (mouse) and '-ous otos' (ear), because of the shape of the leaves; the species name in Latin means 'of the plowed fields'. The common name 'forget-me-not' goes back at least to the fifteenth century and recalls the tradition for lovers to exchange a bouquet of flowers before parting. Flowering period: April to July.

Italian name(s): Boca d' fea (Piemonte), Centonchio salvatico (Toscana, Brozzi), Erba selestina (Lombardia, Brescia), Erva cucchiaredda (Sicilia), Myosotis arvense (Italia), Nontiscordardimé minore (Italia), Oricchi di surci (Sicilia), Orie d' giari (Piemonte).