Anagallis arvensis (Scarlet Pimpernel)

Anagallis arvensis (Scarlet Pimpernel) is a small, low-growing, weedy annual with small, egg-shaped, soft green leaves oppositely arranged along its four-angled stems. From spring to fall (late winter through to late summer in the southern hemisphere), bright reddish-orange flowers adorned with five round petals and five yellow stamens are borne singly on stalks emanating from the leaf axils. The flowers are followed by small rounded green capsules that turn pale brown as they mature. They eventually open by a crosswise slit to release their seeds. Scarlet Pimpernel is poisonous to livestock (e.g. horses, sheep and cattle), domestic animals (e.g. birds, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits) and humans.

• Grows up to 8-10 in. tall (20-25 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in a wide range of soils, mostly under disturbed conditions.
• Virtually pest and disease free.
• Anagallis arvensis is regarded as an environmental weed in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales. While it is a small and innocuous-looking plant, it can form dense populations that exclude native species.
• Native to Northern Africa, the Azores, the Madeira Islands, the Canary Islands, Europe, Western Asia, Western China and the Indian sub-continent.