Chamerion angustifolium - Fireweed - Plant

Onagraceae. Europe and temperate Asia, North America. H 1.6m x L 0.5m. Z3. Perennial. Chamerion angustifolium belongs to a genus containing about 200 species. This plant grows in medium mountain and occurs naturally in colder areas of the northern hemisphere. It like cool soils, preferably acidic, half shade or full sun. Fireweed forms large clumps, has lance-shaped fresh green leaves, and gives graceful spikes of bright purple flowers, meliferous and very attractive to bees. Flowering ranges from May to September. Epilobium angustifolium gradually colonize the environment through its rhizomatous roots and forms larger and larger clumps. The plant also spreads through its cotonous seeds carried by the wind. Mainly grown as an ornamental plant, it is also used to make infusions in the Scandinavian countries (flowers). Its young leaves and young stems (young only) are edible cooked or raw in salads. Fireweed has many medicinal properties: anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, astringent, softener, emollient, hypnotic, laxative, poultice, tonic. Very easy to grow, install it at the edge of woodland. 1 Plant bare root available only in autumn and winter