Epilobium angustifolium
(Fireweed)

Other pictures of this plant:


               Seedpod                                           Leaf                                            Stem                                        Seed                                          Habit

Facts About this Plant:

    Common Names: Fireweed, Willow Herb, French Willow, Great Willowherb, Rosebay Willowherb
    Synonyms: Chamaenerion angustifolium, Chamerion angustifolium, Chamerion spicatum, Epilobium spicatum
    Lifespan: Perennial
    Zones: 3 - 8
    Type: Forb
    Bloom Time: June - August
    Status: Native
    Range:

Epilobium angustifolium, or Fireweed, is native to the northeastern quarter and western half of the United States. It grows in moist areas, like ditches, river or streambanks, moist woodland edges, wet meadows and shorelines. It blooms in early to mid summer, with beautiful purple-pink flowers.

This plant is relatively distinct. Its tall nature and beautiful large purple flowers set it apart, but it can possibly be confused with the non-native and invasive Lythrum salicaria. However, that plant has smaller flowers with six petals and also fuzzy leaves, while Epilobium angustifolium is often a taller plant, and has smooth leaves and its flowers have only four petals. See below for a side by side comparison.

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