Scarlet Pimpernel

(Anagallis arvensis)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis L.)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: Flowers scarlet to orange-red (rarely white or blue), star-like, with yellow stamens and a darker center. Each flower with a long, thin flower stalk and usually arising in pairs from the leaf axils of a pair of leaves. Stem with 4 angles and usually heavily branched. Leaves ovate, sessile to the stem, and occurring in opposite pairs (rarely in small whorls). Plant 4 to 12 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout North America.

Habitat: Scarlet Pimpernel is a weed found in a variety of disturbed habitats such along roadsides and in empty lots and fields.

Flowering period: June to August.

Similar Species: The scarlet to orange-red flowers with their long flower stalks and yellow stamens in combination with the ovate, opposite leaves will easily identify this species.

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