Great Willow Herb Epilobium angustifolium

Formerly known as Epilobium angustifolium, it was moved to the genus Chamerion due to its differences from the Epilobium genus.  The Greek word chamai translates to dwarf, while nerion means oleander, referring to the foliage looking like the leaf of an oleander.  The Latin words angustus (narrow) and folium (leaf) again reference the foliage, which is a narrow leaf.

Fireweed is a rhizomatous perennial wildflower that is easy to grow in full sun to partial shade, high organic matter, and well-drained soil.  It can struggle in our hot southern summers, requiring afternoon shade and moist soils and does best in the mountain region of the state.  It is found in a variety of areas including roadsides, clearings, ravines, fields, pastures, along streams and open woods.  The common name comes from its propensity to be the first plant to appear after fires. It will spread by both seeds and rhizomes, creating large patches that may be classified as weedy.

Plant in informal areas of the landscape including meadows or woodland gardens, in borders, or massed in rock or cottage gardens.  To encourage more blooming remove spent flowers before they go to seed.  Propagation can be accomplished through division in the spring or fall.  

As well as producing edible stems, flowers, and leaves, this plant has many other uses.  Fibers obtained from the stems can be used to make cords and ropes.  The seed hairs that are cotton like are used as stuffing or as tinder for a fire.  It is also a host plant for the Cloudless sulpher butterfly (Phoebis sennae), as well as the Fireweed clearwing (Albuna pyramidalis), Bedstraw hawkmoth (Hyles gallii), and the Nessus sphinx (Amphion floridensis) moths.

Insects. Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Snails and slugs are occasional visitors.  Powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot are occasional problems.  The wind-dispersed seeds can make fireweed weedy and aggressive.