Scarlet Pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis)
© Harry Rose
Introduced, cool-season, annual herb to 20 cm tall. Stems are creeping to weakly erect and 4-angled. Leaves are oppositely arranged, oval and hairless, with dark spots on the underside. Flowers (5-12 mm wide) arise from the leaf axils and have 5 red, pink, orange or blue petals. Fruit are small, round capsules. Flowering is in spring. A native of Europe, western Asia and North Africa, it is a garden escape that is now a common weed in gardens, pastures, crops, roadsides and disturbed areas. Generally found in areas of good fertility and moisture. Curcubitacins in scarlet pimpernel are known to cause digestive and kidney inflammation. Not usually eaten by livestock, although poisoning of horses, sheep, cattle, birds, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits have been reported. Poisoning is more likely to occur if included in hay or silage. It usually forms too minor a portion of the vegetation in an area to cause a problem. Competitive perennial pastures are the most effective control.
Photo taken on 4 Dec 2006