In nature we can find a wide variety of plants, each with its own characteristics and properties. Some are larger than others, with different colors, with different aromas and ways of behaving.
Some plants have become very popular thanks to their healing properties, others have managed to stand out for their aromas, which are used in some fragrances or solutions prepared to set some areas. Thus, those that offer certain nutritional contributions to the body and for which they can be highly sought after in some cultures.
Characteristics of the Anagallis Arvensis or Scarlet Pimpernel
This is a plant of the annual type, which is distributed throughout much of Europe today, although it is also found with great frequency in certain areas of Africa.
This belongs to the family of the so-called primroses, a group of plants that are usually characterized by owning floras of different colors and they are usually found in closed gardens or fields. This plant has a large number of names, which, despite not being the most formal, are mainly due to the ability of this plant to close its flowers in the presence of cloudy skies or in any case, moments before rain.
The color of its flowers can be between blue and red, of which, red ones tend to be more common in southern Europe and the blue ones are generally seen more frequently in the north, you can even find species with fuchsia and orange flowers.
The average height of this plant is 10 centimeters, also presenting about 40 cm in total width and its leaves are presented in the opposite way and they are usually between 1 and 2 cm wide.
Its flowers, in addition to being presented in different colors, they also have five lobed petalsThey do not usually exceed a centimeter in diameter and these flowers usually appear in axillary pairs.
This plant is considered rare for its reactions to the weather. In addition, its own scientific name, which in Spanish means “fields ornament”Is considered very successful because its presence in soils is not the most conventional, but at the same time it results from a very useful supplement for floors. Thus, this plant has been used throughout history in fields and gardens. Today, gardens, fields and roadsides are the places where this plant can be found most often.
Uses of Anagallis Arvensis or Scarlet Pimpernel
This plant is well known, not only for its history and reactions to the behavior of the weather, but also for its uses, which can be useful. Here, as in many cases, the medical uses.
- Relaxing for aches and pains
- Purgative
- Cytotoxic, which deals with cells that can kill other cells, as are carcinogens.
- Antitussive or in other terms, acts as a cough syrup.
- Sedative
Decorative Thanks to its colors and size, the Anagallis Arvensis is used as a plant for decoration in different spaces, but it is important to bear in mind that its decorative use should not go beyond its living conditions, that is, environmental conditions must be guaranteed so that it can fully live in a certain place.
Hand in hand with this, we can say that gastronomic uses of this plant are not very extensive, and it is that of its body, the leaves are the only element that is usually included in some dishes.
Despite its uses, it is necessary to clarify that this flat is toxicIn fact, it is poison for many mammals, which is why its sale is prohibited in many countries of the world. It is advisable to have the necessary advice before using this plant, especially if it is intended for human or animal consumption, as it can significantly compromise health.
Caring for the Anagallis Arvensis or Scarlet Pimpernel
Like any plant, care will be essential and Anagallis Arvensis is no exception. Therefore and between some pertinent care for this plant, we can find the following:
Lighting design
Many of these plants usually require subtle lighting. The case of our plant is different, because this requires direct exposure to sunlight. This, in order to guarantee optimal growth. For this, it is pertinent to place it in open places where it can receive the sun's rays whenever necessary. Failure to comply with this requirement could compromise their development significantly.
Soils
It is advisable to provide loamy or clay textured soils and such soils can be kept both wet and dry.
It is also worth knowing that these soils could be endowed with an acidic pH, either alkaline or neutral. Irrigation, depending on the type of soil being used, must be intermediate, that is, it must maintain certain levels of humidity that are prudent for the plant, preventing it from drowning with too much water and at the same time preventing it from drying out.
The temperature should be taken into account, since the higher the temperature, the more frequent watering will be necessary, while, if we talk about a place with low temperatures, the irrigations would not be so frequent. It should also be noted that this plant can withstand low hostile temperatures, managing to survive even frost.
Against diseases
The truth is that this plant is usually very resistant to diseasetherefore finding her ill is unlikely.
It is a very self-sufficient As for protection against diseases and infections, therefore, they do not usually need help or precise care to avoid suffering from any disease.
The Anagallis Arvensis it is an extremely interesting plant and on an aesthetic level it can be very striking, however, this should not be a reason to trust us, since as we could well understand, it is a purely toxic plant, therefore, its consumption must be regulated by a specialist.
This plant is well known and It has a large number of species distributed both in Europe and AfricaHowever, this does not mean that it can live anywhere, since it needs certain conditions to be able to grow fully, it is a very interesting and self-sufficient plant.