Fireweed, common name for Epilobium angustifolium, a member of a genus of herbaceous or shrubby plants of the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). Roughly 160 species of Epilobium (willow herbs) are found throughout temperate regions; 12 are native to Canada. Willow herbs have alternate or opposed leaves, and regular or slightly irregular flowers. The calyx forms a 4-part tube; the flower has 4 petals. Eight stamens surround the compound ovary; the fruit is a long, narrow capsule. Seeds are numerous and tufted at the top. The Yukon Territory adopted fireweed as its floral emblem in 1957. The flowers are arranged in an elongated cluster, situated terminally on a stem 50-200 cm long with alternate, spear-shaped leaves. The large purple, magenta or occasionally white flowers blossom from the bottom up. This species propagates quickly after forest fires (hence the name). Because it tends to overrun the area where it grows, fireweed should be grown in dry, poorish soil. It may be grown from seeds, shoots or root cuttings. See also Provincial Floral Emblems.
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- MLA 8TH EDITION
- Arseneault, Céline. "Fireweed". The Canadian Encyclopedia, 26 March 2015, Historica Canada. www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/fireweed. Accessed 05 November 2024.
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- APA 6TH EDITION
- Arseneault, C. (2015). Fireweed. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/fireweed
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- CHICAGO 17TH EDITION
- Arseneault, Céline. "Fireweed." The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published February 07, 2006; Last Edited March 26, 2015.
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- TURABIAN 8TH EDITION
- The Canadian Encyclopedia, s.v. "Fireweed," by Céline Arseneault, Accessed November 05, 2024, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/fireweed
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Fireweed
Article by Céline Arseneault
Published Online February 7, 2006
Last Edited March 26, 2015