Hairy Willow-herb
Epilobium hirsutum
Summary 7
Hairy willow-herb (Epilobium hirsutum) is a perennial, semi-aquatic plant also known by the names “codlins and cream” and “European fireweed.” The plant grows up to 6 feet tall and can reproduce via seeds or rhizomes. Flowers are pink and 0.75 inches across with 4 notched petals, 4 sepals, and 8 stamens. They are arranged in racemes in the upper leaf axils. The seeds have tufts of long white hairs that are wind dispersed. The entire plant is covered with fine, soft hairs.
More than 10 populations known in CO.
Source:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qC9bc9pp8lMDC7a2zggcHXf4QaVWBL0o/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l31PDYPYAxQAyXuN5XKXvAELQBHaeByg/view
Identification 7
Height: 3-6' tall
Flowers: Pink flowers are 3/4 inch across with four notched petals, four sepals, and eight stamens, arranged in racemes in upper leaf axils, bloom July and August.
Leaves: Mostly opposite, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, sharply serrated margins, attach directly to the stem, often clasping at the base, grow from 2-5 inches long and 1/2-1 inch wide.
Fruit: Oblong and flattened seeds with tuft of long white hairs, wind dispersed, mature plant produces up to 70,000 seeds
Toxic: No
Other: Be aware that there are several native species of Epilobium in Colorado. Entire plant covered with soft hairs.
Source:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qC9bc9pp8lMDC7a2zggcHXf4QaVWBL0o/view
Origin / Habitat 7
Hairy willow-herb is native to Eurasia and North Africa and was likely introduced to the U.S. as an ornamental. Some reports suggest it may have also arrived in ship ballast. The plant is typically found in water-logged soils and easily tolerates inundation. It does not tolerate shaded areas during seedling establishment, but once established can be somewhat shade-tolerant. Infestations can clog small waterways and displace native vegetation, increasing bank erosion and degrading wildlife habitat.
Source:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qC9bc9pp8lMDC7a2zggcHXf4QaVWBL0o/view
Sources and Credits
- (c) José María Escolano, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/42786943@N07/4838458641
- (c) Pete Mella, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Pete Mella
- (c) Aka, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epilobium_hirsutum_-_plant_(aka).jpg
- (c) Dan, all rights reserved, uploaded by Dan
- (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/29077761580/
- (c) Rasbak, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Harig_wilgenroosje_vruchten_(Epilobium_hirsutum_fruits).jpg
- (c) Colorado Parks and Wildlife, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
- iNat taxon page
- African Plants - a photo guide
- Atlas of Living Australia
- Biodiversity Heritage Library
- BOLD Systems BIN search
- Calflora
- CalPhotos
- eFloras.org
- Flora Digital de Portugal
- Flora of North America (beta)
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
- Go Botany
- HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
- IPNI (with links to POWO, WFO, and BHL)
- Jepson eFlora
- Maryland Biodiversity Project
- NatureServe Explorer 2.0
- NBN Atlas
- New Zealand Plant Conservation Network
- OregonFlora.org
- SEINet Symbiota portals
- Tropicos
- USDA PLANTS database
- VASCAN by Canadensys
- World Flora Online
- 日本のレッドデータ検索システム
- 植物和名−学名インデックス YList
iNat Map
| Color | pink, purple |
|---|---|
| Species status | List A |
| Growth form | Flowering Plants |
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