Waiautoa Forget-Me-Not
Myosotis laingii
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Waiautoa forget-me-not (Myosotis laingii) is an extinct New Zealand forget-me-not, known only from a handful of herbarium specimens collected between 1860 and 1912 in south Marlborough. It grew on river terraces beside the Clarence River (Waiau Toa) near Lake Tennyson, at about 800-1400 m. It formed loose rosettes of a few long, elliptic leaves and erect flowering stems up to 40 cm, with flowers about 8-10 mm across that look yellow on dried specimens but may have been white when fresh. It has not been collected for over a century and is ranked Extinct. Explore more native flowering plants in our native plant guide.
Plant Description
Myosotis laingii was a perennial herb forming open, loose rosettes of few leaves. The leaf blades were elliptic-oblong, 80-150 mm long and 10-20 mm wide, tapering gradually into long, winged stalks, and covered in short, fine hairs pressed flat against the surface.
Erect lateral flowering stems 150-400 mm long carried simple cymes, without leafy bracts, of about 12 flowers. The corolla was 8-10 mm across with a funnel-shaped tube, and the anther tips protruded above the petals. On specimens the flowers appear yellow, but NZPCN notes they were likely white when fresh. Seed-bearing specimens are not known.
It resembled Myosotis laeta and M. traversii, but differed in its large, apparently yellow flowers with protruding anther tips and in having few leaves on the flowering stem. Wikipedia notes that botanical keys separated it from M. laeta by leaf hair and leaf shape characters.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Myosotis laingii |
|---|---|
| Height | Flowering stems 15-40 cm |
| Spread | Loose rosette of a few leaves |
| Water Needs | No information available |
| Light | Probably open river terrace sites |
| Frost Tolerance | Presumably high; grew at 800-1400 m |
| Salt Tolerance | No information available |
| Growth Rate | No information available |
| Lifespan | Perennial (based on specimens) |
Climate Best Suited to
It grew in the cold, dry, inland mountain climate of south Marlborough's upper Clarence valley, with hard frosts, snow and hot summers.
Regional Suitability
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Auckland | Low |
| Wellington | Low |
| Christchurch | Low |
| Dunedin | Low |
Plant Habitat
Myosotis laingii was endemic to south Marlborough in the South Island. NZPCN states it is known only from collections made from terraces adjacent to the Clarence River near Lake Tennyson, while Wikipedia also refers to the Kaikōura Mountains.
Its recorded habitat was river terraces at 800-1400 m above sea level. Specimens were collected by Thomas Cheeseman, John Buchanan and Robert Laing, and some are held in the Auckland War Memorial Museum herbarium.
Growing Requirements
Soil Requirements
Nothing is recorded about the soils it favoured beyond the river terrace habitat.
- River terrace gravels and silts are typical of the area
- No soil preferences documented
Light Requirements
Light requirements were never recorded; river terraces in the upper Clarence are largely open country.
- Likely open sites, but undocumented
Water Requirements
No information on its water needs is available.
- Undocumented
Planting and Establishing
Myosotis laingii cannot be planted because no living plants or seed are known to exist. It has not been collected since 1912, and NZPCN states that specimens with seed are not known.
Gardeners interested in South Island forget-me-nots can grow other native Myosotis species available from specialist nurseries, many of which are themselves threatened.
Ecological Role
Almost nothing is known of its ecology. Flowering and fruiting times were not recorded, and no observations of pollinators or seed dispersal exist.
Its flowers, with protruding anthers, differ from many New Zealand forget-me-nots, which might suggest a particular pollination arrangement, but this cannot be tested. Its extinction removed a distinctive member of the Marlborough mountain flora.
Uses & Significance
Garden Uses
It has no garden use because it is extinct.
- Not available in cultivation
- Of historical and scientific interest only
Ecological Value
Its value now lies in the herbarium record of New Zealand's lost plant diversity.
- One of a small number of extinct native plants
- Reminder of the vulnerability of narrow-range Myosotis
- Specimens remain important for taxonomic study
Landscaping Uses
There is no landscaping role for an extinct species. Its story is relevant to landscape planning in a broader sense: river terraces in the high country have been heavily modified by grazing and weeds, and protecting the remaining natural terraces helps the plants that still live there.
Interpretation panels or plant collections about lost species can use it as an example of New Zealand's extinct flora.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring
No seasonal observations of living plants exist.
- No information available
Summer
Flowering season was not recorded, though specimens were collected in flower.
- Look for unusual large-flowered Myosotis on Clarence terraces
Autumn
No fruiting specimens are known, so seed timing is not known.
- No information available
Winter
Nothing is known of how it survived the high-country winter.
- No information available
When to Prune and How Much
Pruning does not apply to an extinct plant. Related native forget-me-nots generally need only removal of spent flower stems.
This section is retained only for consistency with other plant pages.
How to Grow Waiautoa Forget-Me-Not
Myosotis laingii cannot be propagated, because no living plants or seed are known. NZPCN lists no propagation information and notes that seed-bearing specimens are not known, so its seed has never been described. The notes below describe how related native forget-me-nots are usually raised, so that anyone who rediscovers it knows the likely approach. Any rediscovery should be reported to DOC and botanists before any material is collected, because a newly found population of an extinct-ranked plant would be of national importance, and propagation would need to be part of a planned recovery effort rather than private collecting.
From Seed
Native forget-me-nots are usually raised from fresh nutlets sown on a gritty mix. For a rediscovered population, only a small proportion of seed should be collected, under permit, so the wild plants can continue to reproduce.
- Report any rediscovery to DOC before collecting
- Collect a small amount of ripe seed under permit
- Sow fresh on gritty, free-draining seed mix
- Keep cool, bright and evenly moist with good air movement
- Grow seedlings on in individual pots for conservation planting
From Cuttings
Rosette-forming Myosotis can sometimes be increased by detaching side rosettes with roots, but no information exists for this species. Cuttings would only be appropriate from conservation stock, never from a wild remnant.
- Use only material from conservation stock
- Detach rooted side rosettes in spring
- Pot into gritty mix and keep moist in a cool, airy place
Pests & Diseases
No information exists on pests or diseases of this species. Causes of its extinction were not documented, though high-country river terraces have been strongly affected by grazing animals and introduced weeds since European settlement.
Related forget-me-nots in cultivation suffer from fungal diseases in humid conditions and from slugs and snails.
Cultural Significance
No Māori name or traditional use is recorded for this plant. Its common name, Waiautoa forget-me-not, refers to Waiau Toa, the Māori name of the Clarence River along whose terraces it grew.
It was described by Thomas Cheeseman in 1912 and named for Robert Malcolm Laing (1865-1941), a Canterbury botanist and phycologist. Because of its extinct status and scarce specimens, it was not included in recent DNA studies of New Zealand forget-me-nots.
Bonus Tip
If you botanise on the upper Clarence River terraces near Lake Tennyson, look closely at any forget-me-not with large flowers about 1 cm across and anthers sticking out beyond the petals. Photograph it in detail, note the exact location, and report it to DOC or the NZPCN rather than collecting it; a confirmed record would be the first in more than a century.
Related Plants
Explore other native plants that share similar characteristics or habitats with Waiautoa Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis laingii), offering further insights into New Zealand's diverse flora. These related species provide context and opportunities for complementary planting in your garden.
Morelotia affinis
Morelotia affinis
Common Water Milfoil
Myriophyllum propinquum
Stout Water Milfoil
Myriophyllum robustum
Myriophyllum triphyllum
Myriophyllum triphyllum
Albosericea Plant
Albosericea Plant
Amabilis Plant
Amabilis Plant
Angustata Plant
Angustata Plant
Antarctica Plant
Antarctica Plant
Plant Conservation
Myosotis laingii is ranked Extinct in the 2023 New Zealand Threat Classification System, as it was in 2009, 2012 and 2017; in 2004 it was listed as Data Deficient. It has not been collected since 1912.
Any rediscovery would be of national significance and should be reported. Protecting the remaining natural vegetation of upper Clarence River terraces from grazing and weeds gives any surviving plants the best chance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Myosotis laingii extinct?
Yes. It is ranked Extinct in the New Zealand Threat Classification System, having not been collected since 1912 despite being known from a handful of earlier specimens.
Where was the Waiautoa forget-me-not found?
NZPCN records it only from terraces next to the Clarence River near Lake Tennyson in south Marlborough, at 800-1400 m. Wikipedia also mentions the Kaikōura Mountains.
What colour were the flowers of Myosotis laingii?
Dried specimens show yellow flowers about 8-10 mm across, but NZPCN suggests they were probably white when fresh and yellowed on drying, so the true colour is uncertain.
Who was Myosotis laingii named after?
It honours Robert Malcolm Laing (1865-1941), a Canterbury botanist and phycologist who was one of the collectors of the original specimens.
Sources and Further Reading
The botanical, growing, and conservation details for Waiautoa Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis laingii) on this page draw on the New Zealand plant references below. Consult them for full technical records and the latest distribution data.