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Chamerion angustifolium
Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub
Fireweed, Willow Herb, Great Willow Herb
Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: CHAN9
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N), SPM (N)
Pink spires of flowers bloom at tops of tall, erect, leafy stems with narrow willow-like leaves.
Often grows in spectacular dense patches, and though attractive, it is aggressive in a moist garden, spreading from persistent underground stems. The seeds are dispersed far and wide by long, white, silky hairs. Bees value it as a source of nectar, and the very young shoots and leaves can be eaten as cooked greens. Recent work at the genetic level has shown that Chamerion, recognized by its alternate leaves, is distinct from Epilobium (with leaves opposite, at least near base), the genus in which Fireweed was formerly placed.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall, sometimes taller.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , PurpleBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Pink to rose-purple, rarely white.
Distribution
USA: AK , AL , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , IA , ID , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , NU , ON , PE , QC , SK , YT
Native Distribution: Throughout most of western North America; from British Columbia east to Newfoundland, south to North Carolina, west to Tennessee, and northwest to Illinois, Iowa, and North Dakota. Southwest from California north to Washington. In the far north from Alaska to Nunavit.
Native Habitat: Disturbed soil in cool areas, from the lowlands well into the mountains, frequent along highways and in burned areas; hence one common name.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Attracts bees, moths and hummingbirds.Use Other: Older stems have been split lengthwise to scrape out the soft, edible centre (pith) and to prepare the tough stem fibres for making them into twine and fishnets. (Kershaw)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Larval Host: White lined sphinx moth
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSpecial Value to Honey Bees
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 928 - 100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens (2005) Johnson, L.; A. LeyerleBibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Chamerion angustifolium in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Chamerion angustifolium in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Chamerion angustifolium
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-19Research By: TWC Staff