Pimpernel

Pimpernel (Anagallis), a genus of plants of the natural order Primulaceæ, having a wheel-shaped corolla, and the capsule opening by division round the middle. The species are elegant little annual and perennial plants, natives chiefly of temperate climates. The flowers are not large, but very beautiful. The Scarlet Pimpernel (A. arvensis) is a common plant in Britain, occurring as a weed in fields and gardens; it is common also in most parts of Europe and in many parts of Asia. The flowers are of a fine scarlet colour, with a purple circle at the eye. There is a common belief in England, mentioned by Lord Bacon, that when this plant opens its flowers in the morning a fine day may be expected; and they certainly close very readily on the approach of rain; hence the popular names it bears in some places—Poor Man's Weather-glass and Shepherd's Barometer. They usually open about eight in the morning, and close about noon. The Blue Pimpernel (A. caerulea) is far less common in Britain, but very abundant in some parts of Europe. The Bog Pimpernel (A. tenella), frequent in bogs in England, but rare in Scotland, is an exquisitely beautiful plant. Several species are cultivated in flower-gardens. Acrid properties prevail in this genus, and A. arvensis has been used medicinally in epilepsy, dropsy, and mania. The name Water Pimpernel is given to Samolus valerandi, also called Brook-weed, another British plant of the same order, with racemes of small white flowers, growing in watery gravelly places. It is supposed to be the Samolus which Pliny says the Druids gathered fasting, with the left hand, and without looking at it, ascribing to it magical virtues in the cure and prevention of diseases in cattle. Its geographic distribution extends over almost all the world.