Fireweed
size:
30 to 150 centimeters
color:
flowers: pink to purple-red
blossoms:
July through September
pollintation:
bees and butterflies
reproduction:
underground roots, seeds (dispersed by wind)
life span:
perennial
- Dut: Wilgenroosje, (knikkend)
- Lat: Chamerion angustifolium
- Eng: Fireweed, rosebay willow-herb
- Ger: Wald-Weidenröschen
- Fren: Epilobe en epi
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- Rosebay willow-herb, foto fitis, sytske dijksen
Fireweed
Fireweed is one of the first plants to colonize a burnt site, which is how it got its name. Buried seeds stay viable for years, so that should fire or other disturbances take place, it can quickly re-colonize the area. Beside seeds, fireweed spreads with underground roots. These roots have been dated up to 25 years old! They even show year rings.
- Distribution and habitat
- Fireweed, foto fitis, sytske dijksen
Fireweed is a fairly common plant throughout the Netherlands. It grows on sandy ground and damp humus-rich soil. It is found in the dunes, on open areas in the forest, on fallow terrains, along train embankments and on the banks of ditches and canals. Gull colonies in the dunes are also suitable areas. The wind blows the silky haired seeds great distances.
All kinds of cud-chewers like to eat fireweed. Do they realize that it is rich in nutrients, such as sodium? The plant also has lots of uses for humans, ranging from food to medicine.
See also
Info
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