Fireweed
Epilobium angustifolium
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Aleutian Is., Austria, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krym, Kuril Is., Labrador, Lebanon-Syria, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Onagraceae
- Genus:
- Epilobium
- Species:
- Epilobium angustifolium
- USDA Symbol:
- CHAN9
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 250 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple, magenta, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, orange
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Classic fire-follower and pioneer species. Vigorously colonizes burned areas from wind-dispersed seeds and spreads by rhizomes post-fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained sandy loam
- pH:
- 4.5 - 7.0 (acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Thrives in disturbed soils and open areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination and should be surface sown. Germinates readily without pretreatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds should be stored in cold storage before germination. Cold moist stratification for 30 to 60 days at 2°C is recommended for uniform germination.
Establishment: Fireweed is a perennial, circumboreal species found in various regions, including all Canadian provinces, temperate, boreal, and arctic regions of the northern hemisphere, and parts of the United States. It is drought resistant and well adapted to a variety of upland sites. It is common on shallow soils or on heavier loam soils in forests, mountain meadows and hillsides; often forming pure stands following a fire or other disturbances. The subspecies angustifolium is found only in Alaska south to Washington, Montana, and Wyoming.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months * low germination rate