Dwarf fireweed, Dwarf fireweed
Epilobium latifolium

Family: Onagraceae

What it is like

A small herb. It grows to 40 cm tall. The leaves are broad and dark green. They are 25-50 mm long. They often have a purplish tinge when grown in the open. The flowers are red-purple and large. They are 25-50 mm wide. Many flowers occur together in a short leafy spike. The fruit is a long narrow capsule. It contains many seeds. Each seed has a tuft of hairs.

There are about 165 Epilobium species. They are mostly temperate.

Where it is found

It is a cold temperate plant. It grows in well watered sandy or gravelly floodplain. It grows in arctic and alpine regions. In Pakistan it grows between 2,700-4,850 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Arctic, Canada, Europe, Greenland, Iceland, North America, Pakistan, Russia, Siberia, Tibet, USA

How it is used for food

The flowers can be eaten raw in salads. The very young leaves are cooked and eaten. They are often eaten with meat. Leaves are used as a tea substitute.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, stem, tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Anukak, Broad-leaved willow-herb, Mountain fireweed, Pahmeyuktuk, River beauty, Wiawiagte, Yeyegtyt

Synonyms

Chamaenerion latifolium (L.) Sweet; Chamerion latifolium (L.) Holub.; and several others