WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Fairly common and widespread throughout the UK especially in the south-west. Habitat includes: disturbed and cultivated places such as arable fields, gardens, allotments, wasteland, rabbit warrens, rocky bare ground, coastal cliffs, chalk downland, heathland, sand dunes, trampled paths, pavements etc. Other names include: Shepherd's weather-glass, Shepherd's clock, Poor man's weather-glass (name derives from the fact its flowers close in poor weather), old man's weathervane, Blue-scarlet Pimpernel, Red Pimpernel, Red Chickweed, 'Poor man's barometer'. A member of the Primrose family. Growing Habit: Annual / Short-lived Perennial. Flowers: May to October.

7 subspecies:

• Anagallis arvensis arvensis azurea (Anagallis arvensis infrasubsp. azurea)
• Anagallis arvensis arvensis carnea (Anagallis arvensis infrasubsp. carnea)
• Anagallis arvensis arvensis lilacina (Anagallis arvensis infrasubsp. lilacina)
• Anagallis arvensis arvensis pallida (Anagallis arvensis infrasubsp. pallida)
• Anagallis arvensis arvensis viridiflora (Anagallis arvensis infrasubsp. viridiflora)
• Scarlet Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis subsp. arvensis)
• Blue Pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis subsp. foemina) - Archaeophyte.