Fireweed
Epilobium angustifolium
Description: A tall perennial 75cm to 3m, from rhizome-like roots. Alternate lance-shaped stalk less leaves cover an unbranched stem. Leaves are 5-20cm long, often slightly hairy above with distinct veins below, and without hair. Rosy purple flowers are 2-4cm across with 4 petals and 4 sepals, found in long clusters at the top of the stem. Produces hundreds of fluffy white seeds that are dispersed by the wind.
Ecology: Found in moist or dry disturbed areas, clearings, roadsides, recently burned sites, avalanche tracks, thickets and meadows from low to high elevations. Because this native species thrives in human disturbance it does well in the vicinity of humans and is often locally quite abundant here on the outer coast.
Notes: This plant is also known as a willow herb because of its willow like leaves. It enjoys a long history of use by first nations who used the stem fibres to make cord and the seed fluff for bedding and blankets. European settlers used it as a highly nutritious potherb and a tea. The plant is still used as an emergency food source, and the dry seed fluff makes great tinder for starting a fire.
Broad Leaved Willow Herb
Epilobium latifolium
Description: Low growing matted perennial from a woody stem base, from roots not rhizomes. Stem is leafy and reclining or erect 5-40cm tall. Opposite leaves on bottom, alternate towards the top are lance shaped or elliptic, nearly stalkless and often with a whitish grey bloom. Margin is smooth or finely toothed, 1-8cm in length and there are no distinct veins on the undersurface. Pink to purple flowers are showy 3-6cm across with sepals, petals and stigma lobes, 3-12 in short loose terminal clusters. Produce podlike seed capsules.
Ecology: Found in sandy gravelly river bars and streambanks, also on roadsides and talus slopes at higher elevations. Common from northern Washington State northwards.
Notes: This one was found growing in a river bar in Chapman Creek at low elevation in gravelly soil, August 2005 photo.
Enchanter's Nightshade
Circaea alpina
Description: Tender, juicy perennial from slender rhizomes with tuberous thickenings. Simple or branched stems are 10-50cm tall with opposite heart to egg shaped short stalked toothed leaves with pointed tips. Leaves are short hairy on the undersurface and are 2-6cm long. Tiny white or pale pink flowers have 2 deeply notched petals in clusters of 8-12 on a long stalk. Produces pear shaped fruits covered with short hooked bristles.
Ecology: Despite the name alpina this plant is typically found only at low to middle elevations in cool damp forests, floodplains or beside streams. Common.
Notes: This photo was taken in Kinnickinick Park, a moist mixed forest at low elevation in my backyard, June 2006 photo.
