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Chamaenerion
Also called Willowherb, Rosebay Willowherbs, Fireweeds
Chamaenerion is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae (the evening primrose or willowherb family). It has sometimes been included in the genus Epilobium. Members of the genus may be called willowherbs (along with Epilobium), or fireweeds, based on a common name used for C. angustifolium. They are upright herbaceous perennials, growing from a woody base or from rhizomes, with racemes of usually purple to pink flowers. All species are found in the northern hemisphere. Most occur in moist habitats; C. angustifolium is the exception, favouring disturbed ground.
The white form of Chamaenerion angustifolium is recommended as a border plant where it will not prove too invasive. It can grow to 2 m (7 ft) tall. C. dodonaei and C. fleischeri are grown in alpine gardens, where they form clumps to about 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
Chamaenerion is native to the northern hemisphere. Six of the eight species are native to Eurasia; the two more widespread species, C. angustifolium and C. latifolium, are also found in North America. This contrasts with most members of the family Onagraceae, which are native only to the western hemisphere. Most species are found at high elevations, in moist, rocky areas. C. angustifolium is the exception, being widespread in disturbed habitats. Its American name, fireweed, reflects its regular occurrence in areas recovering from wildfires, to which it may be adapted. In Britain it is known as rosebay willowherb.
Fireweed · Alpine Willowherb · Chamaenerion latifolium · Chamaenerion dodonaei
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Chamaenerion by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
