Bog Pimpernel

Today we visited Market Weston Fen, one of the finest valley fens in East Anglia, and considered to be of European importance. While Chris and Pete were hunting for a very rare fly, I photographed many of the characteristic wetland plants. I could have produced images of many different species, including several of the nine species of orchid that grow there, but I've chose one of my favourite wetland species, bog pimpernel Anagallis tenella, which was growing profusely on the edge of several seepage areas and runnels.

This delicate little perennial plant only grows in wet peaty ground such as bogs and damp marshes. Its pink flowers are bell shaped and rarely longer than 1 cm with five hairless lobes. They are borne on long, round stalks which emerge from leaf axils. The distinctive leaves are round to oval, in opposite pairs on long trailing stems. The plant forms mats by putting down roots at the nodes on its runners. Like Scarlet Pimpernel, it tends to open mostly in sunshine, but its flowers do not open widely due to their funnel shape.