Fireweed (Blooming Sally)

Epilobium angustfolium Fireweed is an attractive and well known Northwest plant. It grows up to four feet high and an herbaceous perennial. It spreads through its rhizomes. The leaves are alternate, numerous, and narrowly lance-shaped. The flowers are strikingly attractive in the dense terminal, spike-like inflorescence. The ovary develops into a long and very narrow capsule that splits open at maturity to release thousands of tiny seeds. Each seed has a tuft of hair that provides buoyancy and assists in dissemination. This long-range dispersal capability enables fireweed to find open habitats, such as burned areas. Ours grew alongside the steps and is doing well. The deer that wander around our place have enjoyed nibbling on the leaves but left enough for us to enjoy.