This wildflower doesn't require you do anything for it to grow. Just don't mow it over.

If the rest of life could be so easy.

There are those examples of Oklahoma wildflowers that demand no inkling whatsoever of tender loving care. The fact of the matter is that these hardy little plants manage to grow and prosper in places where homeowners do not lavish out bountiful amounts of irrigation water.

One spectacular example is the wildflower that is aptly named: wine cup. The blossoms are a brilliant color of scarlet that you can be excused for comparing them to a small drinking glass of claret.

Many a homeowner plays host to these wildflowers in their lawns. If you should be so blessed, I would be remiss if I did not encourage you to spare them the lawnmower's blades. It is but little inconvenience to steer the lawnmower left or right and allow these flowers to fully mature into seeds. That action will better ensure that your home's lawn will have a repeat performance of these flowers next year.

Neil Garrison was the longtime naturalist at a central Oklahoma nature center. His email is atlatlgarrison@hotmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Wine cup wildflower is a brilliant shade of scarlet and aptly named