Scarlet Pimpernel, Anagallis arvensis
Family: Primulaceae; Primrose Family
Vegetative Characteristics:
Seedling: cotyledons broadly ovate, tip blunt, glabrous; stem 4-angled; leaves opposite, elliptic to ovate, margin entire, sessile, clasping stem
Stems: prostrate to ascending, 5.0-40.0 cm tall, branching, 4-angled, smooth, sprawling forming loose mats
Leaves: opposite, 0.5-2.0 cm long, elliptic to ovate, margin entire, glabrous, sessile, clasping stem
Reproductive Characteristics:
Inflorescences: axillary; pedicels slender; flowers solitary, regular, perfect; sepals 3.0-4.0 mm long, 0.7-1.1 cm wide, equal or shorter than petals, scarlet to salmon, rarely white or blue; corolla deeply 5-parted, stellate; petals lanceolate
Fruits: capsule, globose, 3.0-5.0 mm diameter, circumscissile near middle
Seeds: pyramidal, 3-5 sided, 0.9-1.2 mm long, rough, reddish brown to brown
Special Identifying Characteristics:
⇒ prostrate to ascending, sprawling annual; stems square; leaves sessile, elliptic to ovate, margins entire; flower perfect, regular, solitary in leaf axils, closed at night and during cloudy weather, red to salmon or rarely white or blue
