Anagallis arvensis
Scarlet pimpernel · Shepherd's-clock · Shepherd's-weatherglass · Bird's-eye · Poor-man's-weatherglass
Description
Source: leafsnapAnagallis arvensis (syn. Lysimachia arvensis), commonly known as the scarlet pimpernel, red pimpernel, red chickweed, poor man's barometer, poor man's weather-glass, shepherd's weather glass or shepherd's clock, is a species of low-growing annual plant with brightly coloured flowers, most often scarlet but also bright blue and sometimes pink. The native range of the species is Europe and Western Asia and North Africa. The species has been distributed widely by humans, either deliberately as an ornamental flower or accidentally. A. arvensis is now naturalised almost worldwide, with a range that encompasses the Americas, Central and East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Malesia, the Pacific Islands, Australasia and Southern Africa.Traditionally included in the primrose family Primulaceae, the genus Anagallis was placed in the family Myrsinaceae until that family in turn was included in Primulaceae in the APG III system. The genus Anagallis is included in Lysimachia by some authors.This common European plant is generally considered a weed and is an indicator of light soils, though it grows opportunistically in clay soils as well. The origin of the name pimpernel comes from late Middle English pympernele [1400–50], derived from Middle French pimprenelle, from Old French piprenelle, and ultimately from Vulgar Latin *piperīnella (piper 'pepper' + -īn- '-ine' + -ella diminutive suffix). The flower serves as the emblem of the fictional hero the Scarlet Pimpernel.
🌳 Aside from its role in folklore, scarlet pimpernel functions as a bioindicator for certain soil contaminants. Studies have found that the presence of scarlet pimpernel can signal soils containing copper because the plant can tolerate and accumulate the metal. This trait points to the potential use of scarlet pimpernel in environmental monitoring and phytoremediation strategies.
🎭 Unpretentious, unassuming
Care Guide
💧 Water Every 6-9 days
Typically, you can expect to water this plant once every six to nine days. Scarlet Pimpernel should be kept moist but not wet.
☀️ Light Full sun
Scarlet pimpernel does best when receiving plentiful sunlight during the day. Although it can persist with moderate light, it grows most vigorously with abundant sun. Excessive shade can slow its growth, while too much light can cause it to be scorched. Its native habitat is characterized by substantial daily sunlight.
🌡️ Temperature 0–35°C
Scarlet pimpernel can adjust to a wide range of temperature conditions, but its distribution may still be restricted by different combinations of water and heat. It does best in warm summer climates with sufficient rainfall or regular watering. Extended periods of cloudy, rainy weather or prolonged high temperatures can raise the chance of the plant dying. In winter, protecting it from the cold can increase its survival rate.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-6
🌱 Fertilizer
When most of the Scarlet pimpernel’s blooms are fully open, resume fertilizing. At peak bloom, apply fertilizer every three to four weeks, as weather permits. When the Scarlet pimpernel begins producing fewer new blooms, stop fertilizing; there’s no need to feed the plant when it can no longer produce more blooms.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
Not much is known about the pruning needs of this plant.
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
This plant is considered toxic to livestock, domestic animals, and humans.
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Annual, Biennial
- Genus
- Anagallis
- Family
- Primulaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 7-10
- Mature Height
- 5 cm to 40 cm
- Mature Spread
- 40 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Leaf Type
- Semi-evergreen
- Flower Color
- Blue, Red, Orange
- Flower Size
- 0.76 cm to 1.52 cm
- Bloom Time
- Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer
- Planting Time
- Spring
- Harvest Time
- Early summer, Mid summer
- Native Area
- Libya, Turkey, Sweden, India, United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, Montenegro, Pakistan, Slovenia, Morocco, Croatia, Belarus, Germany, Romania, Latvia, Belgium, Portugal, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Cyprus, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Chad, Lebanon, China, Afghanistan, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Italy, Japan, Finland, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, Egypt, Austria, Yemen, Uzbekistan, Russia, Iraq, Estonia, Oman, South Korea, France, Nepal, Tajikistan, Czech Republic, Mauritania, Armenia, Poland, Greece, Serbia, Lithuania, Norway, Switzerland, Denmark, Bhutan, Albania, Ireland, United Kingdom, Hungary, Algeria, Turkmenistan