This plant has very characteristic small, pale blue flowers with bright yellow centers formed from the inner part of each petal. The leaves are lanceolate, up to 2 inches long, and have very fine hairs which give them a rough appearance. The plant is often found at the edges of streams and other wet places.

This forget-me-not was originally introduced from Europe, but is now naturalized near bodies of water. There is a native species. M. laxa, which grows in similar habitats, but is smaller.