Scarlet Pimpernel flower

The Scarlet Pimpernel is known to most people as a famous literary character but it is the common name of a flower regarded as a weed in Australia and also in the Northern Hemisphere. Anagallis arvensis goes by a lot of names: the "red pimpernel", "red chickweed", "poor man's weather glass", "shepherd's weatherglass" and "shepherd's clock", to name some.

It is a low-growing, brightly coloured annual plant, with the flower no more than 1/2" across. It is tiny, very attractive and does well in poor to light soils. Looks better in LARGE.

The common name "poor man's weatherglass" relates to the fact that the flowers close when bad weather is approaching. The presence of the flower is usually an indication of light soils. The flower is most noted for being the emblem of the fictional hero the Scarlet Pimpernel.

In our "wild" garden we have the flowers in both the blue and orange forms. That means this part of our garden needs weeding very badly. Paladian reckons it attracts butterflies and all the other critters she is so fond of. Then I can pull them out as useless weeds when no bugs or butterflies are around!