Dwarf Fireweed
Epilobium latifolium
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Aleutian Is., Canada, China, Greenland, Iceland, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kuril Is., Labrador, Pakistan, Russia, Tadzhikistan, United States
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Onagraceae
- Genus:
- Epilobium
- Species:
- Epilobium latifolium
- USDA Symbol:
- CHLA13
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, magenta, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Albuna pyramidalis, Scythris noricella
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Pioneer species that colonizes disturbed areas including post-fire sites; resprouts from rhizomes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- gravelly, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in alpine and subalpine regions.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Germination occurs at 22 C. Using a facultative soil mix, plant 2 seeds per cell in the fall. Subject them to ambient temperature fluctuations (cold/moist stratification).
Establishment: C. latifolium is found in gravel bars and alpine slopes from Alaska east to Newfoundland and south to California, Arizona and New Mexico.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires darkness.