scarlet pimpernel

British  

noun

1. Also called: poor man's weatherglass.   shepherd's weatherglass.  a weedy primulaceous plant, Anagallis arvensis, of temperate regions, having small red, purple, or white star-shaped flowers that close in bad weather

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Example Sentences

Her hands shielded from the gusts of February air by a well-worn pair of gardening gloves, Rachel carefully places tree spinach and scarlet pimpernel seeds into brown plastic pots.

From BBC

She shrugged her shoulders, laughed, and turned to pick up a scarlet pimpernel.

From Project Gutenberg

Sensitive flowers, the scarlet pimpernel, the African mimosa, close their delicate petals, and a sense of hushed expectancy deepens with the darkness.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the scarlet pimpernel, or "poor man's weather-glass;" for on rainy days, and even before the showers are coming, the little plant, conscious of their approach, closes up its flowers.

From Project Gutenberg

Mozart passed roguishly by in strains of scarlet pimpernel, mignonette, syringa, and violets.

From Project Gutenberg