Species name:

Anagallis foemina   Mill.

Author(s):

Philip Miller
   United Kingdom, 1691-1771

Common name:

Blue Pimpernel
Poorman's weatherglass

Maltese name:

Harira kahla

Plant Family:

Primulaceae   (Primrose Family)

Name Derivation:

Anagallis = from two Greek words, ana, "again," and agallein, "to delight in," since the flowers open each time the sun strikes them and so they could be enjoyed every new day (Greek);

foemina = Latin word for feminine. Not understood for what reason it is named as such. (Latin).

Synonyms:

Anagallis arvensis subsp. arvensis, Anagallis caerulea, Anagallis arvensis subsp. caerulea.

Remarks:

There are two closely related species, previously classified as subspecies of the taxon Anagallis arvensis L. . These are A. arvensis (A. arvensis subsp. arvensis) and A. foemina (A. arvensis subsp. foemina) The latter is distinguished by having the flower pedicels equal or shorter from the subtending leaflet (see pic) and the corolla is concealed by the calyx in the bud stage. Additionally, A. foemina is described to have a blue corolla while A. arvensis can be blue, scarlet or pale red. Today, they are accepted as two different species.

Plant Description

Life Cycle:

Annual or Biennial

Habitat:

Waste and cultivated places. Less often on soil-rich garigue.

Sources in Malta:

Much more rare from the common A. arvensis. One specimen was found at Dingli Cliffs and another at Mistra valley.

Plant Height:

5-50cm (Stem Length)

Flowering Time:

Feb-Jul

Anagallis foemina basically has the same morphology as Anagallis arvensis with the following structural differences:

1) During the flowering phase, the pedicel (flower stalk) is shorter or equal to the subtending leaf. In A. arvensis this is visibly much longer.

2) The colour of the corolla is always blue, not found in pink or scarlet forms.

3) The flower bud is concealed by the calyx, or in other words, the sepals are equal or longer from the petals.

4) The petals do not overlap or if so, marginally.

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