Chamaenerion angustifolium (Fireweed)
| Also known as: | Rosebay, Great Willowherb |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Chamaenerion |
| Family: | Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, sun; moist soil, woodland edges and clearings, along shores |
| Bloom season: | June - August |
| Plant height: | 3 to 7 feet |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FAC MW: FAC NCNE: FAC |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/epilobium-angustifolium_003.jpg)
A spike-like cluster at the top of the stem and the ends of branching stems in the upper part of the plant. Flowers are about 1 inch across with 4 paddle-shaped pink to purplish petals alternating with 4 narrow darker sepals that are shorter than the petals, 8 long white stamens with purple to brownish tips, and a white style, longer than the stamens, divided and curled at the tip. Behind the flower is a long slender purplish ovary that resembles the short flower stalk. A cluster blooms from the bottom up, the buds typically angled downward, flowers facing outward, and ripening fruit angled up to nearly erect.
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pink/fireweed_0705_152218.jpg)
Leaves are 2 to 8 inches long, up to 2 inches wide, mostly toothless, somewhat wavy around the edges, tapering to a pointed tip, with a creamy white midrib and little or no leaf stalk.
![[photo of spring leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pink/fireweed_0601_142922.jpg)
Early spring leaves are very narrow with horizontal grooved veins that eventually smooth out. Stems are green or reddish and may be stiffly hairy in the upper plant.
Fruit:
![[photo of fruit]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/epilobium-angustifolium_004.jpg)
Fruit is a slender upright pod that turns purplish red as the seed ripens. When ripe, the pods split open at the tip end, peeling back like a banana peel, dispersing the small brown seed.
![[photo of dispersed seed]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pink/fireweed_0928_182036.jpg)
Seed has a tuft of white hair to carry it off in the wind. When the seed is gone the remains of the pods turn brown.
Notes:
Fireweed was formerly known as Epilobium angustifolium or Chamerion angustifolium, and is now Chamaenerion angustifolium. It has often been confused with the invasive Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), which has opposite leaves and narrower, more cylindric flower clusters with 6-petaled flowers. There are 2 recognized subspecies of C. angustifolium: subsp. angustifolium is present in Canada and possibly Minnesota; subsp. circumvagum (formerly var. canescens) is the common species, generally a larger plant than subsp. angustifolium and more hairy, its leaves have distinct venation and a short stalk.
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More photos
Fireweed plant
more flowers
a colony of Fireweed
still more flowersPhotos by K. Chayka taken at Itasca State Park and in Aitkin and Lake counties. Photos by Peter M. Dziuk taken in Aitkin, Cass and Itasca counties.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2013-02-18 09:27:45
I've seen a profusion of fireweed in Southeast Alaska but was surprised to see it in Minnesota. I spotted a single plant in the brush beside a driveway up in Grand Rapids.
on: 2013-07-22 20:05:07
We stopped mowing a portion near our driveway. It turns out to have a LARGE colony of Fireweed. We are amazed at the height.
on: 2014-09-09 14:21:09
There are quite a few large colonies of this plant along the Paul Bunyan trail on the side that faces 371 from Jenkins to Pine River. There are more along Hwy #15 and #1 along the ditches.
on: 2015-07-28 23:01:48
So surprised! I only saw this in Alaska!
on: 2015-07-29 04:48:18
Maggie, if you look at the county distribution map you'll see it's actually pretty common in Minnesota.
on: 2016-08-04 12:32:14
Seen on the hike between Campground and Cascade Lodge
on: 2017-05-30 14:22:59
I see this is not listed as occurring in Dakota County but I'm pretty sure it's common along the sides of State Highway 316 south of Hastings.
on: 2017-05-30 15:52:01
Sue B, what you see along the highways may not be fireweed, but purple loosestrife, which is often found in wet ditches as well as along lake and pond shores, or dames rocket, another invasive species. You might need to see it more up close than from a car window to know for certain.
on: 2017-07-09 15:51:56
Need to add mower county to the distribution map...have seen it in previous years...took photos today July 9...found it close to transmission power pole 80...I know what fireweed looks like.
on: 2017-09-04 11:29:36
A lot of fireweed grows along the North Shore of Lake Superior e.g. Lamb's Resort.
on: 2019-03-21 20:08:35
It's a magnet in my garden for Japanese beetles so I've been removing it.
on: 2019-03-21 20:48:40
Doreen, Japanese beetles are attracted to pretty much everything so removing your fireweed won't stop them. First they demolished our evening primrose and when that was gone they started going after everything else.
on: 2019-06-25 14:07:56
Someone just gave me some fireweed. Will it do ok in a shady, woodsy site?
on: 2020-07-15 19:01:55
Traveling north on hwy 65 from north of Twin Cities to Upr Red Lake, saw tons of this along sides of the hwy, some pretty large patches. Beautiful!
on: 2023-07-11 22:43:04
I see spatterings of them along the roadways, and today I saw some where it was safe to investigate near the boat ramp of Kelly Lake.
on: 2023-07-22 19:29:18
We have had fire weed in our garden for a number of years. They look great with Queen Anne's Lace, globe thistle and rattle snake master.
on: 2023-07-23 06:59:49
David, that sounds nice except for the Queen Anne's lace, which is a bad plant that easily escapes cultivation and invades pretty much anywhere and everywhere :-(
on: 2024-05-15 12:57:16
Is fireweed invasive in the Twin Cities?
on: 2024-05-15 13:23:13
Sheila, fireweed is not very common in the Twin Cities area, since it's at the southern edge of its range in Minnesota. You don't mention the context regarding "invasive" (in the wild or in cultivation), but if it's a landscaped setting, know that many native plants can be aggressive when removed from their natural environments. Some of the worst weeds in my own garden are natives.
on: 2024-07-25 15:18:32
This is a beautiful plant in bloom. I hope to get some seed and try in my native garden in the Twin Cities. It can?t hurt to try!