The Waiautoa forget-me-not isn’t a well-known or well documented species of Myosotis. It is only known from a handful of specimens collected between 1860 - 1912. Robert Laing for whom this forget-me-not is named as well as Thomas Cheeseman for whom the species is also sometimes referred to, took notes on the species. These two botanists along with John Buchanan documented this species and many others they discovered throughout New Zealand. There is nothing documented about its flowering, fruiting, seeds, or propagation techniques. It is noted that it was very similar to the Myosotis traversii, except the Waiautoa forget-me-not had yellow flowers instead of white. The cause of extinction for the Mysistis laingii is unknown, as the similar Myosotis traversii is still listed as non-threatened. Although Jurassic Park is fiction, scientists are working on several de-extinction projects. In fact, in 2003 scientists did bring back the extinct Pyrenean ibex, a type of wild goat, for 7 minutes before it died, showing de-extinction is possible. The Waiautoa forget-me-not might be a good candidate. Scientists could use some of the specimens collected by Cheeseman to collect DNA in the future. The good news is that New Zealand has been making great progress in protecting its native wildlife. In 1953, New Zealand established the Wildlife Act, which protected animals from illegal hunting by enacting a $100,000 fine. In 1977, it established the Reserves Act which formed the Department of Conservation. In 1980, the National Parks Act was established to set aside land for government protection. The Conservation Act of 1987, gave even greater protections to native wildlife and their population management. New Zealand has many laws in place to protect its native species. Other similar plant species like the Myosotis traversii are currently listed as non-threatened, so unless there is still some unknown threat to this extinct forget-me-not, the stage may be set for its return. If the Waiautoa forget-me-not was ever brought back could it survive again in New Zealand?