Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis

Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis

One of my very favourite wild flowers, this is such a small, low-growing flower it could quite easily be overlooked if it wasn’t for its bright red vivid colour. Definitely a hands and knees job in the dirt to get these shots in.

Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis

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June 2018, local field, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.

Scarlet Pimpernel

Anagallis arvensis

This is a small pretty annual which I sometimes come across on my walks. The brilliant red petals are only 4 to 7mm wide, and the plant only grows ups to 15cm tall. It is also known as ‘Poor Man’s Weather-glass’, for the flowers will only open when the sun is shining.

It flowers May to September, and grows on wasteland, fields and coastland. It is widespread and generally common.