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Plants

Anagallis arvensis

Scarlet Pimpernel

an annual member of the Anagallis genus in the family Primulaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual
Height
0.1 m
Spread
0.4 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seeds are slightly poisonous to some mammals, but no cases involving people are known[4][16]. Skin contact with the plant can cause dermatitis in some people[16].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked[5][2][3]. Used in salads[12] and as a spinach[5]. The tender shoots are cooked as a vegetable[11]. It is best not to eat these leaves[14][9], see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The scarlet pimpernel was at one time highly regarded as a medicinal herb, especially in the treatment of epilepsy and mental problems[10], but there is little evidence to support its efficacy and it is no longer recommended for internal use because it contains toxic saponins and cytotoxic cucurbitacins[9][10]. The whole herb is antitussive, cholagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, nervine, purgative, stimulant and vulnerary[12][15][17][8][13]. It can be taken internally or applied externally as a poultice[15]. An infusion is used in the treatment of dropsy, skin infections and disorders of the liver and gall bladder[17][11]. The plant is best harvested in June and can be dried for later use[12]. Use with caution[8], large doses can cause polyuria and tremor[15]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[17]. It is used internally to treat itchy skins and externally to remove warts[17].

Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Purgative
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The squeezed plant is used in Nepal for washing and bathing[11].

Product or use
Soap

Environment

Range
Throughout most of the world, including Britain, but absent from the Tropics.
Habitat
Roadsides and cultivated land[17], preferring rather sandy soils[15].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in situ.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a sunny position and a good soil[1]. Succeeds in dry or sandy soils[9]. The flowers open at about 8 am and close at 3pm each day, though they close earlier if it rains. The flowers are also said to foretell wet weather if they close early[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩

  4. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩

  5. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

  7. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩

  8. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  11. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  14. Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00

    ↩

  15. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  16. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

    ↩1↩2

  17. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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