Fireweed Erechtites hieraciifolius

American burnweed is in the Asteraceae (daisy) family native to the Americas. It prefers man-made or disturbed habitats (roadsides, railway lines, ditches), coastal areas, shores of lakes and rivers, meadows and fields, wetland margins. It is often found in sites associated with beaver activities causing cyclical flooding and drainage and is a common landscape weed. Population explosions may occur in these habitats after human-induced disturbances or other conditions where competition is reduced, but they generally die back as natural succession leads to less open environments. This weedy species is not recommended for most NC gardens.

The plant often branches and grows in a clump with multiple stems. This plant grows very quickly up to 8 to 10 feet tall generally on coastal or meadow sites and is resistant to urban conditions.

Flower heads of American burnweed are held upright, whereas thickhead flowers droop downward. Plants flower in summer to early fall then die after frost. Seeds are wind-dispersed and can produce multiple generations each growing season. This species benefits from fire and is often one of the earliest pioneer species of areas that have recently burned, hence some of its common names. It prefers moist sites but can handle gravelly soil and some degree of dry conditions. It also grows well in urban areas and around humans.

Insects, Diseaes, and Other Plant Problems:  Hand removal of this weed is possible because the roots are fibrous and shallow attached to a short taproot. Hoeing or cultivation also works on small populations.  Large populations can be managed with broad-spectrum herbicides but most single-active ingredient herbicides are less effective.