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DictionarypimpernelFlowering plant
noun

pimpernel

PIM-per-nel/ˈpɪmpərnel/

A small flowering plant, often with scarlet flowers.

A small pimpernel grows beside the path, dotted with scarlet flowers.

A close, naturalistic view of a small scarlet pimpernel plant, showing its low branching stems, opposite oval leaves, and tiny five-petaled red-orange flowers.
Etymology
pimpernelLatina medicinal plant

Latin pipinella named a medicinal plant, preserved in this wildflower’s name. Its deeper origin is uncertain; one proposed connection is with pepper, because the fruits resemble peppercorns.

In context

Offaly Heritage0:37
among those flowers of lower stature the brightest at least when the sun is shining is Scarlet Pimpernel the flowers are small and the structure is simple
Scarlet Pimpernel with John Feehan, Wildflower of Offaly series

More examples

  • She bends down to photograph a pimpernel.
  • Several pimpernels grow among the weeds in our garden.
  • The guide identifies the tiny flowering plant as a scarlet pimpernel.

Forms

pimpernel · pimpernels