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fireweed
Scientific Name: Chamerion angustifolium
Family: Onagraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Chamerion angustifolium - Fireweed
Chamerion angustifolium, commonly known as fireweed (mainly in North America), great willow-herb (some parts of Canada), and rosebay willow-herb or rosebay willowherb (mainly in Britain), is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the willowherb family, Onagraceae.
Considerations for Pets
- Fireweed is mentioned as being potentially toxic to livestock.
Considerations for Children
- The plant is gathered for herbal uses, suggesting it may have properties of interest.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Chamerion angustifolium
- Family: Onagraceae (Willowherb or Evening Primrose Family)
- Synonyms/Alternative Names: great willow-herb, rosebay willow-herb, rosebay willowherb, giant showy willow herb.
- Symbol: CHAN9
- Group: Dicot
- Growth Habit: Forb/herb
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to North America, from sub-Arctic regions down the Rocky Mountains, across the upper Midwest, and down the Appalachians to Georgia.
- Found throughout the US, except in the southeastern states and Texas.
- Occurs in all Canadian provinces.
- Also reported in coastal New South Wales (NSW), Australia, where it is considered a pasture weed.
- Often found in recently burned clearings, clear-cuts, and roadsides.
Ecological Role
- Fireweed is a pioneer species, one of the first plants to appear after a forest or brush fire.
- It rapidly covers scrub or woodland areas that have been cleared.
- In some regions, such as Queensland, Australia, *Senecio madagascariensis* (also called Fireweed), is considered a declared pest.
Morphological Characteristics
- Perennial plant with widespread rhizome-like roots that form new shoots freely.
- Has willow-like leaves and red stems.
- Features striking magenta blossoms.
- Tall perennial.
- Displays spike-like clusters of pink to purplish flowers with 4 paddle-shaped petals and a long white style.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Its tiny seeds ride the wind.
- Beekeepers sometimes move hives to areas rich in fireweed for honey production.
- Competes strongly with pasture species in some regions.
- Can be toxic to livestock.
Quirky Facts
- Fireweed is so named because it is often the first plant to colonize areas after a fire.
- Fireweed honey is highly prized, leading beekeepers to transport their hives to areas where it grows.
Further Information
- Extension Faculty Health, Home and Family Development publication FNH-00106 by Roxie Rodgers Dinstel and Leslie Shallcross.
- Information available on the wildflowers of British Columbia, Canada.