Omphalodes

Omphalodes
Omphalodes verna
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Boraginales
Family: Boraginaceae
Subfamily: Boraginoideae
Genus: Omphalodes
Mill. (1754)
Type species
Omphalodes verna
Moench
Species

11; see text

Synonyms
  • Omphalium Wallr. (1822), nom. superfl.
  • Picotia Roem. & Schult. (1819), nom. superfl.
  • Umbilicaria Heist. ex Fabr. (1759), nom. superfl.

Omphalodes (navelwort) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae. It includes eleven species native to Europe and western Asia. In spring they produce blue or white flowers similar to forget-me-nots.

Both the Greek Omphalodes (navel-like) and the English "navelwort" refer to the shape of the seeds.

O. verna and cultivars of O. cappadocica are grown in gardens for their blue flowers which in spring appear above the leaves in loose sprays. They are woodland plants, preferring some shade.