Scarlet Pimpernel
Lysimachia arvensis
Known as “Poor Man’s Weatherglass,” it closes its flowers in dull conditions and opens them in bright weather. On Lihou, it can appear in scuffed ground or by footpaths, forming tiny spots of colour. Though each blossom is only a few millimetres wide, the vibrant hue stands out against the island’s more subdued greens and browns.
- Habitat: Sandy or disturbed soils, cultivated land, and coastal margins.
- When to See: Flowers typically from spring to early autumn.
- Length: Low, spreading plant often under 10 cm high, with small red or orange blooms