Anagallis arvensis, Scarlet Pimpernel

Common Name: Scarlet Pimpernel

Anagallis arvensis, more commonly known as Scarlet Pimpernel, is a member of the Primrose family and is a hairless annual plant, growing to 10cm in height with straggling rectangular stems.

Leaves are opposite, to 2cm long, oval to lanceolate, pointed and stalkless. Flowers in the leaf axils, solitary, long-stalked and 5-partite, with sepals 4-5mm long, joined together at the base. Corolla 5-7mm long, divided almost to the base, usually red, sometimes blue and, rarely, pink. Corolla lobes widely spread, entire, with glandular hairs at the edges. Fruit a 4-5mm long capsule, opening around the middle.

Flowering season is June to October. Found on both cultivated land and waste ground. Widespread throughout the UK.

https://www.uknature.co.uk is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature. We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. www.uknature.co.uk is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours.