Anagallis arvensis

Plant Description
Square stemmed annual, but occasionally perennial plant with prostrate, sprawling or erect hairless stems reaching 6 – 30 cm tall. The oval to heart shaped leaves have tiny black dots or glands on the underside. Single, red-orange flowers are produced June to October, but occasionally blue ones are seen and more rarely pink to white. Also known as Poor Man's Weather-glass because the flowers close in bad weather.

Habitat
In Scotland, it is sometimes found in coastal locations including coastal cliffs and sand dunes. Also grows on rubbish tips and roadsides.

Germination
100 - 300 seeds per plant, with shallow germination.

Wildlife
Seeds sometimes eaten by birds.

Distribution
Found almost worldwide, and is widespread throughout Europe, although it is rarer in Northern Scotland.

Tayside distribution
Previous sightings recorded in a few isolated locations within Tayside. 
More information on Tayside distribution of Scarlet Pimpernel.