Codlins and cream, Hoary willowherb
Epilobium parviflorum
Family: Onagraceae
What it is like
A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It is up to 1 m tall. The leaves are usually in rings but do not clasp the stem. The leaves are narrowly oval and 3-12 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers are 7-12 mm wide. They are pale purplish-pink.
There are about 165 Epilobium species. They are mostly temperate.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in damp soil and near streams. In the Mediterranean it rarely grows to sea level. In China it grows between 500-1,800 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Britain, Central Asia, China, Europe, France, Greece, Himalayas, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Portugal, Russia, SE Asia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan
How it is used for food
The young leaves are used in salads. They can be cooked as a tea.
Edible parts
Leaves, flowers
How it is grown
It forms new plants from the rings of leaves near the base.
Its other names
Local names
Drobnocvetni vrbovec