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Anagallis (From anagelas to laugh)

(from anagelas, to laugh; removing despondency: meaning doubtful). Pimpernel. ORD. Primulaceae. Annual or perennial trailers with angular stems, opposite or verticillate leaves, and solitary pedunculate flowers; corolla rotate or funnel-shaped, deeply five-cleft. All are very pretty and free flowering plants, of easy culture. The annuals are raised from seed sown in a sunny spot in spring; the perennials are increased by striking cuttings of the young shoots, or division, at any time, either under a hand glass or in a close frame. Keep in the shade until well established, and gradually harden off. Plant outside in light rich soil for summer flowering, and each year secure a stock in frames during the winter. They require, if left out of doors, a protection during the winter, except A. tenella. A. fruticosa (shrubby).* fl. axillary, large, vermilion, with a dark throat. May to August. l. verticillate, four in each whorl. h. 2ft. Morocco, 1803. A biennial.

A. grandiflora (large-flowered).* fl. very variable, but intense blue and deep vermilion red are predominant. May to autumn. h. 4in. Habit very compact and neat, and very floriferous. There are several varieties. Annual. A. indica (Indian). fl. deep blue, small. July. h. 1ft. Nepaul 1824. Annual; trailing.

A. linifolia (flax-leaved).* fl. brilliant blue, large, about 1/2in. in diameter. July. l. opposite. h. 9in. to 12in. Portugal, 1796. Perennial. There are many varieties, the best of which are the following. SYN. A. Monelli. A. l. Brewerii (Brewer's).* fl. red. June. h. 9in. Known also as Phillipsii. A. l. Eugenie (Eugenie's).* fl. blue, margined with white. A. l. lilacina (lilac-flowered). fl. lilac. May. h. 1ft. A. l. Napoleon III. (Napoleon's).* fl. crimson maroon, distinct and pretty. A. l. Parksii (Parks'). fl. red, large.

A. l. phoenicea (Phoenician).* fl. scarlet. May. Morocco, 1803. A. l. sanguinea (bloody). fl. bright ruby colour.

A. l. Wilmoreana (Wilmore's).* fl. bright blue purple, with yellow eye. h. 6in.

A. Monelli (Monell's). A synonym of A. linifolia.

A. tenella (delicate).* fl. delicate pink, with deeper veins; corolls bell-shaped. Summer. l. roundish, very small, opposite. A beautiful little native bog trailer, and one of the prettiest in the whole genus. Requires a boggy and wet soil A. Webbiana (Webb's). fl. blue; petals with their tops slightly denticulated. June to August. l. several, verticillate. h. 4in. Portugal, 1828.