WSU Clark County Extension
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Fireweed

Scientific name: Epilobium angustifolium
Taxonomy
Family:Onagraceae
Type:Herbaceous perennials
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:2 to 9
Sun:Full to partial sun
Moisture:Medium
Plant Characteristics
Height:6 ft
Width:1 ft
Bloom:Showy flowers
Bloom Time:July to August
Bloom Color:Pink
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description As a garden perennial or wildflower, Fireweed gets its name from the fact that it is often the first plant to start growing in forests after fires burn back all other vegetation.

  Morphology:
This herbaceous perennial grows upright stems of 4’ to 6’ in length. Willow-like hairless leaves are borne along the stem in an alternate arrangement. Leaves are 5" long and ¾" across. They are narrowly lanceolate or linear, with margins that are smooth or slightly serrated

Each of the stems terminate in an elongated raceme (3”-8”) of showy pink flowers. The blooming period occurs primarily from early to late summer, and lasts about a month. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and birds.

As the flowers fade they are replace by seedpods that are long and narrow. These seedpods split into multiple sections, beginning at their tips (each section curling backward), and release a multitude of tiny seeds with small tufts of white hair.

  Adaptation:
Fireweed's main limitation is moisture as it will grow in fairly deep shade to full sun, in most soils. If drought stressed flowering will cease.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
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