Anagallis

/ænəˈɡælɪs/ noun

Definition

A genus of small flowering plants, commonly called pimpernels, with colorful flowers that typically close in cloudy weather.

Etymology

From Greek 'ana' (up) + 'gala' (milk), possibly because the plant was once thought to have medicinal properties related to milk production, though the connection is now obscure.

Kelly Says

The scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) became famous in literature and legend—its flowers are so sensitive to humidity that people used to call it 'poor man's weather glass' because it closes before rain.

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