The Story Of Fireweed

Day 287: Fireweed, aka Willow-herb (Epilobium angustifolium), is a familiar sight to those of us who live in Timber Country. It is a "pioneer plant," which is to say that it is one of the first species to return to areas which have been clearcut or scoured by landslide or avalanche. Its seeds are minuscule, each attached to a tiny bit of fluff which allows it to be carried for some distance on the wind. They are also quite tough and may lie dormant for years before exposure to light causes them to germinate.

Fireweed often forms dense colonies of plants which may reach six feet in height or more. The flowers are very attractive to bees, and the honey made by the pollinators feeding on them is strongly scented with the plant's fragrance.

Historically, the Native peoples used the fluff fibers to make mattresses and clothing, and the stringy fibers of the stems were spun into coarse twine used in the manufacture of fishing nets. The leaves can also be used to make a tea rich in vitamin C.