Willowherbs
Botanical name: Epilobium
Willowherbs
Botanical name: Epilobium
Description
The willowherbs (Epilobium) are a large and highly diverse group of flowering plants in the evening primrose family. Willowherbs can be extremely hardy plants, and they are often some of the first to colonize disturbed or burnt landscapes. Many willowherbss are used symbolically or in crests or sigils - Fireweed (C. angustifolium), for instance, is the official flower of the Yukon Territory, and is displayed on its flag.
Species of Willowherbs
Hoary willowherb
Hoary willowherb (Epilobium parviflorum) is a perennial herb found in many places across North America Europe western Asia and northern Africa. It grows in marshes swamps and moist mountain meadows and blooms between spring and fall. Hoary willowherb establishes a deep taproot but also sends exploratory roots far and wide to help it spread.
Chaparral willowherb
Chaparral willowherb is found in open, disturbed areas producing flowers from spring through fall. The wildflowers are a food source for pollinators and wildlife eat the seeds in the winter.
Marsh willowherb
Marsh willowherb (Epilobium dodonaei) is a herbaceous perennial wildflower that will grow to 1.5 m tall. Commonly found growing in woodland clearings and open areas. It blooms from summer to fall with spikes of showy pink flowers. It thrives in full sun and is drought tolerant.
Pimpernel willowherb
Pimpernel willowherb (Epilobium anagallidifolium) is a wildflower that you may see in cold northern boreal habitats and alpine and subalpine mountain locations further towards the south. This plant is a useful addition to any garden because it attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinating insects with its small trumpet-shaped flowers.
Square-stalked willowherb
Square-stalked willowherb (Epilobium tetragonum) is a perennial with a distinctive square-shaped stalk and can grow from 61 to 122 cm tall. It blooms from summer to fall with pink flowers. Commonly found growing wild in gardens along roadsides and other wastelands. Prefers full sun and moist soil.
Marsh willowherb
The marsh willowherb, also known as "codlings and cream", emits a distinctive smell similar to cold cream when its leaves are crushed. It can be found around boreal forests all over the Northern Hemisphere. The plant can reduce biodiversity in areas where it grows because it chokes off water flow.
Tall Annual Willowherb
Tall Annual Willowherb (Epilobium brachycarpum) is also called tall fireweed. This species is indigenous to North America and is a member of the evening primrose family. Like all willowherbs, it has tufts of tiny hairs on its seeds.
Hairy willowherb
Hairy willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) is a species of weed that is difficult to eradicate. It is not known to be toxic, but the sale of this plant or its seeds has been banned in some areas. This is because its dense, aggressive growth habits can crowd out and destroy other native beneficial plants.
Epilobium platystigmatosum
The epilobium platystigmatosum (Epilobium platystigmatosum) are a large and highly diverse group of flowering plants in the evening primrose family. Epilobium platystigmatosum can be extremely hardy plants, and they are often some of the first to colonize disturbed or burnt landscapes. Many epilobium platystigmatosums are used symbolically or in crests or sigils - Fireweed (C. angustifolium), for instance, is the official flower of the Yukon Territory, and is displayed on its flag.
Purple-Leaved Willow-Herb
Purple-Leaved Willow-Herb (Epilobium coloratum) is an herbaceous perennial plant with square or round stems. Its flowers attract bees and flower flies. The foliage is also eaten by the caterpillars of various moths. Epilobium coloratum is widely present in the eastern United States.
Dwarf fireweed
Dwarf fireweed (Epilobium latifolium) is a plant that grows in the Arctic. It grows low but is widely distributed. It blooms with purple flowers in summer and produces elongated capsules. Greenland named it the national flower and gave it a name which means young girl in the local language.
Broad-leaved willowherb
Broad-leaved willowherb is found naturally across Europe but has been introduced to the United States and other countries. It produces pale purple flowers, and grows as a weed on roadsides, walls, and neglected fields and gardens, spreading quickly thanks to its fluffy, airborne seeds.
Fireweed
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) is a perennial wildflower known for its distinctive, showy petals. The plant gets its common name from a unique natural phenomenon: It is one of the first plants to emerge after a wildfire. If soil conditions are right, fireweed can be an aggressive weed. If not, the seeds can remain dormant in the earth for years, waiting for the right conditions to germinate. It typically blooms from summer to fall.
Amur willowherb
The amur willowherb (Epilobium amurense) are a large and highly diverse group of flowering plants in the evening primrose family. Amur willowherb can be extremely hardy plants, and they are often some of the first to colonize disturbed or burnt landscapes. Many amur willowherbs are used symbolically or in crests or sigils - Fireweed (C. angustifolium), for instance, is the official flower of the Yukon Territory, and is displayed on its flag.
California fuchsia
California fuchsia (Epilobium canum) is a deciduous perennial that will grow to 46 cm tall. Bright scarlet flowers bloom summer and fall. California fuchsia grows best in full sun but needs constant moisture in summer. This plant goes dormant in winter.
Fringed willowherb
The fringed willowherb is native to North America and East Asia, but was introduced to North Europe in the 1900s and spread rapidly. It prefers humid places such as in the wetlands or by the streams and ponds, but it can also survive in a variety of habitats such as roadsides and wastelands.
Fireweed
Fireweed is a flowering herb with tall spikes of pink flowers. It gets its name because the seeds need to go through fire before they germinate. This flower can be used to colonize disturbed land which has been damaged by fire or even oil spills.
New zealand willowherb
The new zealand willowherb (Epilobium brunnescens) are a large and highly diverse group of flowering plants in the evening primrose family. New zealand willowherb can be extremely hardy plants, and they are often some of the first to colonize disturbed or burnt landscapes. Many new zealand willowherbs are used symbolically or in crests or sigils - Fireweed (C. angustifolium), for instance, is the official flower of the Yukon Territory, and is displayed on its flag.
Rockery willowherb
The rockery willowherb (Epilobium pedunculare) are a large and highly diverse group of flowering plants in the evening primrose family. Rockery willowherb can be extremely hardy plants, and they are often some of the first to colonize disturbed or burnt landscapes. Many rockery willowherbs are used symbolically or in crests or sigils - Fireweed (C. angustifolium), for instance, is the official flower of the Yukon Territory, and is displayed on its flag.
Epilobium forbesii
The epilobium forbesii (Epilobium forbesii) are a large and highly diverse group of flowering plants in the evening primrose family. Epilobium forbesii can be extremely hardy plants, and they are often some of the first to colonize disturbed or burnt landscapes. Many epilobium forbesiis are used symbolically or in crests or sigils - Fireweed (C. angustifolium), for instance, is the official flower of the Yukon Territory, and is displayed on its flag.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Vascular plants Class
Dicotyledons Order
Myrtle order Family
Evening primrose Genus
Willowherbs 
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