Species:
	Myosotidium hortensium
Common Name(s):
	Chatham Island Forget-me-not, Kopakopa, Kopukapuka
Threat Status:
	Nationally Vulnerable
Status 2004:
	Nationally Endangered
Authority:
	Myosotidium hortensium (Decne.) Baill.
Qualifiers:
	CD, IE, Inc, RR
Family:
	Boraginaceae
Flora Category:
	Vascular - Native
Synonyms:
	Myosotis hortensia Decne, Cynoglossum nobile Hook.f., Myosotidium nobile (Hook.f.) Hook.f.; Myosotidium hortensia (Decne.) Baill. orth.var.
Distribution:
	Endemic to the Chatham Islands. Found on Chatham (Rekohu), Pitt, South East, Mangere and most of the smaller islands, islets and some rock stacks.
Habitat:
	Coastal cliffs, rock outcrops, sandy and rocky beaches just above the strand zone and coastal forest openings.
Features:
	Robust, perennial herb, forming patches up to 1 m tall by 1.0–1.5 m diameter. Root stock stout, cylindric, rather fleshy, where emergent covered in numerous leaf scars, becoming woody with age. Petioles 0.1–0.5 m long, grooved above, channelled below. Lamina of basal leaves up to 0.4 m across, dark green to yellow-green, broadly ovate-cordate to reniform, thick, fleshy to coriaceous; upper surface glossy, glabrous; lower surface paler, minutely and evenly covered in retrorse hairs; margins entire; veins prominent, indented above, elevated below. Inflorescences lateral corymbose cymes, somewhat woody at base, with stem leaves; lower stem leaves similar to basal leaves, upper stem leaves smaller, oblong to broadly lanceolate or elliptic. Cymes 100–200 mm diameter, pedicels 10–15 mm long. Calyx lobes 5, 1.8–4.5 × 2.0–2.5 mm, broadly elliptic, covered in appressed hairs, apex obtuse, margin entire. Corolla 12–15 mm diameter, dark blue to pale blue, often flushing purple with age, occasionally white; lobes 5, 4.0–4.5 × 5.0–6.0 mm, orbicular, rounded, spreading, overlapping, apex obtuse; tube 2 mm long, throat partially occluded by 5 fleshy protuberances. Filaments c. 0.5 mm long, inserted near throat; anther included, 1.0–1.2 mm long. Ovary 4-lobed, style 0.7–1.0 mm long, stigma capitate. Fruit a nutlet, 10–15 mm diameter, brown to black, winged around margin; seed obovate, 7.5–9.0 mm long, testa black-brown..
Similar Taxa:
	A distinctive and easily recognised species with large, glossy green leaves and large blue-flowered inflorescences.
Flowering:
	September - November
Fruiting:
	October - May
Propagation Technique:
	Easy to grow provided the root stock is kept moist. It will not tolerate drought. It also dislikes humidity. Does best in a rich, well fertilised, peaty soil on the south-side of a building, or near a dripping tap. Also does well in partial shade under trees. Avoid competition from other plants. Seed germinates well if fresh but will not store long. A white-flowered form is occasionally grown.
Threats:
	Formerly abundant around the coasts and islets, the range of M. hortensia has been significantly reduced to scattered remnants by farming, competition from marram grass (Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link) and the depredations of feral animals, such as cattle, horses, sheep, possums, pigs, rats and weka who trample, uproot and browse plants. Possums, rodents, and weka are serious predators of flowers and fruits. Weed encroachment, especially by marram grass, has eliminated this species from ost of its former dune habitat. Removing whole plants for private use in gardens is an on going problem for the more accessible populations. Coastal development destroyed the only known white-flowered wild plants, and remains a potential threat elsewhere.
Chromosome No.:
	2n = 40-42
Endemic Taxon:
	Yes
Endemic Genus:
	Yes
Endemic Family:
	No

Where To Buy
Commonly available from most commercial and specilaist native plant nurseries. Can be purchased from Oratia Native Plant Nurseries (info@oratianatives.co.nz).

References

Heenan, P.B., Schönberger, I. 2009. Typification of Myosotis hortensia Decne., the basionym of Myosotidium hortensium (Decne.) Baill., and its synonym Cynoglossum nobile Hook.f. (Boraginaceae). New Zealand Journal of Botany, Vol. 47: 121–125

      

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Last updated: 15 Aug 2010