We all know the book, 'The Scarlet Pimpernel', but what exactly IS a pimpernel?

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We all know the book, 'The Scarlet Pimpernel', but what exactly IS a pimpernel?

Question #152438. Asked by ozzz2002.
Last updated May 09 2026.
Originally posted May 07 2026 7:27 AM.

lanfranco

Answer has 6 votes

Currently Best Answer

lanfranco

22 year member
4186 replies avatar

Answer has 6 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.

It's worth pointing out to people who may not have read Baroness Orczy's novel (not very well known today) that the hero, Sir Percy, uses a drawing of a scarlet pimpernel on his secret messages:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scarlet_Pimpernel

May 08 2026, 5:33 PM

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Answer 1

Pimpernel are small, low-growing, sprawling wild plants.

The pimpernels, yellow, scarlet, and blue to name a few, although not closely related (actually in the primula family) are very similar in appearance to the chickweeds but with clear differences which is good as several are toxic.

https://www.wildfooduk.com/wild-plants/pimpernel/

We all know the book, 'The Scarlet Pimpernel', but what exactly IS a pimpernel?

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