Family: Onagraceae
American willow-herb, hairy willow-herb
Christopher Noll
Etymology: Epilobium: from 2 Greek words epi, "upon," and lobos, "a pod or capsule," as the flower and capsule appear together, the corolla being borne on the end of the ovary
Plants: erect, perennial, 3'-5' tall forb; mostly solitary, branched stems
Leaves: opposite or with upper ones alternate, ovate to lance-like, sometimes toothed
Flowers: white to rose, 4-parted, 1/8"-1/2" wide, petals notched, stigma not branched; inflorescence a cluster (raceme) of many, stalked flowers; blooms June-Aug.
Fruits: capsule, seeds with nearly white tufts of hair at the top
Habitat: wet
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 3'-5' tall forb; mostly solitary, branched stems
Leaves: opposite or with upper ones alternate, ovate to lance-like, sometimes toothed
Flowers: white to rose, 4-parted, 1/8"-1/2" wide, petals notched, stigma not branched; inflorescence a cluster (raceme) of many, stalked flowers; blooms June-Aug.
Fruits: capsule, seeds with nearly white tufts of hair at the top
Habitat: wet
Conservation Status: Native
Common in diverse wet, often disturbed habitats, including swamps, marshes, bogs, sedge meadows, fallow fields, stream banks, lake shores, ditches, roadsides, gardens and on cliffs and wet rocks. Highly variable with several intergrading variants that have been regarded as species, treated here as subspecies.
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 3, Wetland Indicator = FACU USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc.
