Japanese name: ルリハコベ（広義）（瑠璃繁縷） Scientific name:Anagallis arvensis
[Overview]
An annual 10–20 cm tall.
The stem has 4 ridges, branches well from the base and creeps along the ground, with the upper part rising obliquely.
Leaves are simple and opposite, ovate, 1–2.5 cm long and 0.5–1.5 cm wide, hairless on both sides, with entire margins and no leaf stalk.
Slender flower stalks extend from the leaf axils in the upper part of the stem, each bearing a single flower.
The flowers are azure or orange with a reddish purple center; the corolla is about 1 cm across, deeply 5-lobed and opens flat.
There are 5 stamens.
The calyx is deeply 5-lobed and has membranous margins.
The fruit is a spherical capsule that hangs downward.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained location.
It dislikes heat and humidity, so an airy location is suitable.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless sunny weather continues and the soil becomes extremely dry.
Fertilize sparingly; if base fertilizer is applied, nothing more is particularly needed.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
[Notes]
Some views divide it further, calling the red-flowered form Akabana-ruri-hakobe and the azure-flowered form Ruri-hakobe.
