''Epilobium'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed with ...

s in the

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

Onagraceae The Onagraceae are a family of flowering plants known as the willowherb family or evening primrose family. They include about 650 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the

subarctic The subarctic zone is a region in the Northern Hemisphere immediately south of the true Arctic, north of hemiboreal regions and covering much of Alaska, Canada, Iceland, the north of Fennoscandia, Northwestern Russia, Siberia, and the Cair ...

temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (approximately 23.5° to 66.5° N/S of the Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ran ...

and

subantarctic The sub-Antarctic zone is a physiographic region in the Southern Hemisphere, located immediately north of the Antarctic region. This translates roughly to a latitude of between 46th parallel south, 46° and 60th parallel south, 60° south of t ...

regions, whereas in the

subtropics The subtropical zones or subtropics are geographical and climate zones immediately to the north and south of the tropics. Geographically part of the temperate zones of both hemispheres, they cover the middle latitudes from to approximately ...

and

tropics The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the equator, where the sun may shine directly overhead. This contrasts with the temperate or polar regions of Earth, where the Sun can never be directly overhead. This is because of Earth's ax ...

''Epilobium'' species are restricted to the cool

montane Montane ecosystems are found on the slopes of mountains. The alpine climate in these regions strongly affects the ecosystem because temperatures lapse rate, fall as elevation increases, causing the ecosystem to stratify. This stratification is ...

biome A biome () is a distinct geographical region with specific climate, vegetation, and animal life. It consists of a biological community that has formed in response to its physical environment and regional climate. In 1935, Tansley added the ...

s, such as the

New Guinea Highlands The New Guinea Highlands, also known as the Central Range or Central Cordillera, is a long chain of mountain ranges on the island of New Guinea, including the island's highest peak, Puncak Jaya, Indonesia, , the highest mountain in Oceania. The r ...

. The

taxonomy image:Hierarchical clustering diagram.png, 280px, Generalized scheme of taxonomy Taxonomy is a practice and science concerned with classification or categorization. Typically, there are two parts to it: the development of an underlying scheme o ...

of the genus has varied between different

botanist Botany, also called plant science, is the branch of natural science and biology studying plants, especially Plant anatomy, their anatomy, Plant taxonomy, taxonomy, and Plant ecology, ecology. A botanist or plant scientist is a scientist who s ...

s, but the modern trend is to include the previously recognised genera ''Boisduvalia'', ''

Chamaenerion ''Chamaenerion'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae (the evening primrose or willowherb family). It has sometimes been included in the genus ''Epilobium''. Members of the genus may be called willowherbs (along with ''Epilobiu ...

'' (previously ''Chamerion''), ''Pyrogennema'' and ''Zauschneria'' within ''Epilobium'' according to Peter H. Raven, who has extensively studied the willowherbs and merges the other segregate genera into ''Epilobium''. Fringed willowherb (''

Epilobium ciliatum ''Epilobium ciliatum'', known by the common names fringed willowherb, American willowherb, slender willow herb, and northern willow herb is a species of ''flowering plant'' in the willowherb family Onagraceae. This species is native to much of No ...

'') is likely a

cryptic species complex In biology, a species complex is a group of closely related organisms that are so similar in appearance and other features that the boundaries between them are often unclear. The taxa in the complex may be able to hybridize readily with each oth ...

; apparently these plants also commonly hybridize with their congeners. Most species are known by the common name willowherbs for their willow-like leaves. Those that were once separated in ''Boisduvalia'' are called spike-primroses or boisduvalias. Those ''Epilobium'' species previously placed in the ''Chamaenerion'' group are known as fireweeds.

Description

Epilobium canum fruits with comose seeds 2003-01-21

Epilobiums are mostly

herbaceous Herbaceous plants are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. This broad category of plants includes many perennials, and nearly all annuals and biennials. Definitions of "herb" and "herbaceous" The fourth edition of ...

plants, either

annual Annual may refer to: *Annual publication, periodical publications appearing regularly once per year **Yearbook **Literary annual *Annual plant *Annual report *Annual giving *Annual, Morocco, a settlement in northeastern Morocco *Annuals (band), a ...

perennial In horticulture, the term perennial ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the year") is used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. It has thus been defined as a plant that lives more than 2 years. The term is also ...

; a few are

subshrub A subshrub (Latin ''suffrutex'') or undershrub is either a small shrub (e.g. prostrate shrubs) or a perennial that is largely herbaceous but slightly woody at the base (e.g. garden pink and florist's chrysanthemum). The term is often interch ...

s. The

leaves A leaf (: leaves) is a principal appendage of the stem of a vascular plant, usually borne laterally above ground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, stem, ...

are opposite or rarely whorled, simple and ovate to lanceolate in shape. The

flower Flowers, also known as blooms and blossoms, are the reproductive structures of flowering plants ( angiosperms). Typically, they are structured in four circular levels, called whorls, around the end of a stalk. These whorls include: calyx, m ...

s are

actinomorphic Floral symmetry describes whether, and how, a flower, in particular its perianth, can be divided into two or more identical or mirror-image parts. Uncommonly, flowers may have no axis of symmetry at all, typically because their parts are spirall ...

(radially symmetrical) with four petals that may be notched. These are usually smallish and pink in most species, but red, orange or yellow in a few. The

fruit In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants (angiosperms) that is formed from the ovary after flowering. Fruits are the means by which angiosperms disseminate their seeds. Edible fruits in particular have long propaga ...

is a slender cylindrical capsule containing numerous

seed In botany, a seed is a plant structure containing an embryo and stored nutrients in a protective coat called a ''testa''. More generally, the term "seed" means anything that can be Sowing, sown, which may include seed and husk or tuber. Seeds ...

s embedded in fine, soft silky fluff which disperses the seeds very effectively in the wind. The genus name derives from the Greek words "epi" meaning "upon" and "lobos" meaning "lobe", with reference to position of the petals above the ovary. A number of ''Epilobium'' species with slightly asymmetrical (

zygomorphic Floral symmetry describes whether, and how, a flower, in particular its perianth, can be divided into two or more identical or mirror-image parts. Uncommonly, flowers may have no axis of symmetry at all, typically because their parts are spir ...

) magenta flowers and alternate leaves are placed in a ''Chamaenerion'' group and are further separated by some authorities into a genus ''Chamerion''. However, ''Chamerion'' has not been universally accepted.

Habitat and ecology

Willowherbs ''sensu lato'' are typically very quick to carpet large swathes of ground and may become key or dominant species of local

ecosystem An ecosystem (or ecological system) is a system formed by Organism, organisms in interaction with their Biophysical environment, environment. The Biotic material, biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and en ...

s. In the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

, for example, rosebay willowherb (''

Chamaenerion angustifolium ''Chamaenerion angustifolium'' is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the willowherb family, Onagraceae. It is known in North America as fireweed and in Britain and Ireland as rosebay willowherb. It is also known by the synonyms ''Chameri ...

'') is widely found on mesotrophic soils dominated by false oat-grass (''

Arrhenatherum elatius ''Arrhenatherum elatius'' is a species of flowering plant in the grass family Poaceae, commonly known as false oat-grass, and also bulbous oat grass (subsp. ''bulbosum''), tall oat-grass, tall meadow oat, onion couch and tuber oat-grass. It is na ...

''), cock's-foot grass (''

Dactylis glomerata ''Dactylis glomerata'' is a species of flowering plant in the grass family Poaceae, known as cock's-foot,Interactive Flora of NW Europ''Dactylis glomerata'' (Cock's-foot)/ref> also colloquially as orchard grass, or cat grass (due to its populari ...

''), and red fescue (''

Festuca rubra ''Festuca rubra'' is a species of grass known by the common name red fescue, creeping red fescue or the rush-leaf fescue. It is widespread across much of the Northern Hemisphere and can tolerate many habitats and climates. It is best adapted to w ...

''), while great willowherb (''

Epilobium hirsutum ''Epilobium hirsutum'' is a flowering plant belonging to the willowherb genus '' Epilobium'' in the family Onagraceae. It is commonly known as the great willowherb, great hairy willowherb or hairy willowherb. Local names include codlins-and-cream ...

'') is found in mesotrophic grassland with stinging nettle (''

Urtica dioica ''Urtica dioica'', often known as common nettle, burn nettle, stinging nettle (although not all plants of this species sting) or nettle leaf, or just a nettle or stinger, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae. Or ...

''). These two willowherb species also dominate open habitat early in

ecological succession Ecological succession is the process of how species compositions change in an Community (ecology), ecological community over time. The two main categories of ecological succession are primary succession and secondary succession. Primary successi ...

, to the virtual exclusion of other plant life. Broad-leaved willowherb (''

Epilobium montanum ''Epilobium montanum'' or Broad-leaved Willowherb is a species of flowering plant in the willowherb family Onagraceae. Description This species grows to 60 cm high. The leaves are hairless and serrate and ovate-lanceolate. They are mostly p ...

'') is found characteristically, though not abundantly, in the mesotrophic grasslands with meadowsweet (''

Filipendula ulmaria ''Filipendula ulmaria'', commonly known as meadowsweet or mead wort, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Rosaceae that grows in damp meadows. It is native throughout most of Europe and Western Asia (Near East and Middle East). It has ...

'') and sometimes the uncommon Greek valerian (''

Polemonium caeruleum ''Polemonium caeruleum'', known as Jacob's-ladder or Greek valerian, is a hardy perennial flowering plant. The plant produces cup-shaped, blue or white flowers. It is native to temperate regions of Europe. It is the type species of the phlox fami ...

''). Most willowherbs will not tolerate shade trees and thus are limited to more recently disturbed patches, yielding to other plants over time. Consequently, though the genus contains many

pioneer plant Pioneer species are resilient species that are the first to colonisation (biology), colonize barren natural environment, environments, or to repopulate disrupted biodiversity, biodiverse steady-state ecosystems as part of ecological succession. ...

s, rather few of them are

invasive weed An invasive species is an introduced species that harms its new environment. Invasive species adversely affect habitats and bioregions, causing ecological, environmental, and/or economic damage. The term can also be used for native species ...

s of major importance. ''Epilobium'' species are used as food plants by the

caterpillar Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder ...

s of certain

Lepidoptera Lepidoptera ( ) or lepidopterans is an order (biology), order of winged insects which includes butterflies and moths. About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera have been described, representing 10% of the total described species of living organ ...

species, including:

Geometridae The geometer moths are moth Moths are a group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not Butterfly, butterflies. They were previously classified as suborder Heterocera, but the group is Paraphyly, paraphyleti ...

Grey pug The grey pug (''Eupithecia subfuscata'') is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found throughout the Palearctic region. It is also found in North America. Since it does not place any special demands on climatic conditions, special caterpilla ...

(''Eupithecia subfuscata''), recorded on several species

Noctuidae The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family (biology), family of moths. Taxonomically, they are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because many of the clades are constantly ...

Mouse moth The mouse moth (''Amphipyra tragopoginis'') is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is a widespread species with a Holarctic distribution. Distribution Europe (except the extreme north, and not occurring in the south of Spain, Sicily, or the Balka ...

(''Amphipyra tragopoginis''), recorded on several species *

Small angle shades The small angle shades (''Euplexia lucipara'') is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout the Palearctic. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae''. As the common name ...

(''Euplexia lucipara''), recorded on several species * Australian grapevine moth (''Phalaenoides glycinae''), recorded on fringed willowherb (''E. ciliatum'')

Sphingidae The Sphingidae are a family of moths commonly called sphinx moths, also colloquially known as hawk moths, with many of their caterpillars known as hornworms. It includes about 1,450 species. It is best represented in the tropics, but species ar ...

* Elephant hawk-moth (''Deilephila elpenor''), recorded on several species * Small elephant hawk-moth (''Deilephila porcellus''), recorded on several species *

White-lined sphinx ''Hyles lineata'', also known as the white-lined sphinx, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. They are sometimes known as a "hummingbird moth" because of their bird-like size (2-3 inch wingspan) and flight patterns. As caterpillars, they have a ...

(''Hyles lineata''), recorded on several species

Use by humans

The main use of ''Epilobium'' by humans is as a herbal supplement in the treatment of

prostate The prostate is an male accessory gland, accessory gland of the male reproductive system and a muscle-driven mechanical switch between urination and ejaculation. It is found in all male mammals. It differs between species anatomically, chemica ...

bladder The bladder () is a hollow organ in humans and other vertebrates that stores urine from the kidneys. In placental mammals, urine enters the bladder via the ureters and exits via the urethra during urination. In humans, the bladder is a distens ...

(

incontinence Incontinence or Incontinent may refer to: * Urinary incontinence, the most commonly occurring type of incontinence, the involuntary excretion of urine *Fecal incontinence Fecal incontinence (FI), or in some forms, encopresis, is a lack of con ...

) and

hormone A hormone (from the Ancient Greek, Greek participle , "setting in motion") is a class of cell signaling, signaling molecules in multicellular organisms that are sent to distant organs or tissues by complex biological processes to regulate physio ...

disorders. Many of the small willowherb species are nuisance

weed A weed is a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, growing where it conflicts with human preferences, needs, or goals.Harlan, J. R., & deWet, J. M. (1965). Some thoughts about weeds. ''Economic botany'', ''19''(1), 16-24. Pla ...

s in

garden A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the cultivation, display, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The single feature identifying even the wildest wild garden is ''control''. The garden can incorporate bot ...

s. Though few are regularly used as

ornamental plant Ornamental plants or ''garden plants'' are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars th ...

s, the larger willowherbs may be attractive in

ruderal A ruderal species is a plant species that is first to colonize disturbed lands. The disturbance may be natural for example, wildfires or avalanchesor the consequences of human activities, such as construction ( of roads, of buildings, mining, e ...

locales. One of the most frequently recognized members of the genus is the

circumboreal The Circumboreal Region in phytogeography is a floristic region within the Holarctic Kingdom in Eurasia and North America, as delineated by such geobotanists as Josias Braun-Blanquet and Armen Takhtajan. It is the largest floristic region in ...

fireweed (''E. angustifolium''), known as rosebay willowherb in the United Kingdom. It rapidly colonizes burnt ground; during the bombing of London in World War II many of the derelict bomb sites were soon covered with these plants, bringing a splash of colour to what was otherwise a very grim scene. It is the

floral emblem In a number of countries, plants have been chosen as symbols to represent specific geographic areas. Some countries have a country-wide floral emblem; others in addition have symbols representing subdivisions. Different processes have been used t ...

Yukon Yukon () is a Provinces and territories of Canada, territory of Canada, bordering British Columbia to the south, the Northwest Territories to the east, the Beaufort Sea to the north, and the U.S. state of Alaska to the west. It is Canada’s we ...

in Canada,

Hedmark Hedmark () was a Counties of Norway, county in Norway from 1 January 1919 to 31 December 2019, bordering Trøndelag to the north, Oppland to the west, Akershus to the south, and Sweden to the east. The county administration is in Hamar. Hedmar ...

in Norway and

Southern Ostrobothnia South Ostrobothnia ( ; ) is one of the 19 regions of Finland. It borders the regions of Ostrobothnia (administrative region), Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, Central Finland, Pirkanmaa, and Satakunta. Among the Finnish regions, South Ostrobo ...

in Finland. Fireweed is used as a sweetener in north-western North America. It is put in

candy Candy, alternatively called sweets or lollies, is a Confectionery, confection that features sugar as a principal ingredient. The category, also called ''sugar confectionery'', encompasses any sweet confection, including chocolate, chewing gum ...

, jellies,

ice cream Ice cream is a frozen dessert typically made from milk or cream that has been flavoured with a sweetener, either sugar or an alternative, and a spice, such as Chocolate, cocoa or vanilla, or with fruit, such as strawberries or peaches. Food ...

syrup In cooking, syrup (less commonly sirup; from ; , beverage, wine and ) is a condiment that is a thick, viscous liquid consisting primarily of a Solution (chemistry), solution of sugar in water, containing a large amount of dissolved sugars but ...

, and '' sxusem'' ("Indian ice cream"). In the late summer its flowers yield

pollen Pollen is a powdery substance produced by most types of flowers of seed plants for the purpose of sexual reproduction. It consists of pollen grains (highly reduced Gametophyte#Heterospory, microgametophytes), which produce male gametes (sperm ...

and copious

nectar Nectar is a viscous, sugar-rich liquid produced by Plant, plants in glands called nectaries, either within the flowers with which it attracts pollination, pollinating animals, or by extrafloral nectaries, which provide a nutrient source to an ...

which give a rich spicy

honey Honey is a sweet and viscous substance made by several species of bees, the best-known of which are honey bees. Honey is made and stored to nourish bee colonies. Bees produce honey by gathering and then refining the sugary secretions of pl ...

. Its young leaves, roots, and shoots are edible (if somewhat bitter), and rich in

provitamin A A provitamin is a substance that may be converted within the body to a vitamin. The term previtamin is a synonym. The term "provitamin" is used when it is desirable to label a substance with little or no vitamin activity, but which can be converte ...

and

vitamin C Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid and ascorbate) is a water-soluble vitamin found in citrus and other fruits, berries and vegetables. It is also a generic prescription medication and in some countries is sold as a non-prescription di ...

. The Dena’ina found them also useful as

food supplement A dietary supplement is a manufactured product intended to supplement a person's diet by taking a pill, capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid. A supplement can provide nutrients either extracted from food sources, or that are synthetic ( ...

for dogs and applied sap from the stem to wounds, believing it to have

antiinflammatory Anti-inflammatory is the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation, fever or swelling. Anti-inflammatory drugs, also called anti-inflammatories, make up about half of analgesics. These drugs reduce pain by inhibiting mechani ...

properties. Several researchers have studied this taxon.

Heinrich Carl Haussknecht Heinrich Carl Haussknecht (30 November 1838 – 7 July 1903) was a German pharmacist and botanical collector who was a native of Bennungen, Sachsen-Anhalt. Trained as a pharmacist, Haussknecht is remembered for collecting and describing numerou ...

in the late 19th century and Peter H. Raven about a century later researched the

phylogeny A phylogenetic tree or phylogeny is a graphical representation which shows the evolutionary history between a set of species or Taxon, taxa during a specific time.Felsenstein J. (2004). ''Inferring Phylogenies'' Sinauer Associates: Sunderland, M ...

systematics Systematics is the study of the diversification of living forms, both past and present, and the relationships among living things through time. Relationships are visualized as evolutionary trees (synonyms: phylogenetic trees, phylogenies). Phy ...

, and

of willowherbs.

Peter Michaelis Peter Michaelis (28 May 1900 in Munich – 3 August 1975 in Cologne) was a German plant geneticist who focused most of his research on cytoplasm inheritance and segregation. Most of his work was carried out during the period from the 1940s to 197 ...

' studies of this genus paved the way for understanding of

extranuclear inheritance Extranuclear inheritance or cytoplasmic inheritance is the transmission of genes that occur outside the nucleus. It is found in most eukaryotes and is commonly known to occur in cytoplasmic organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts or from ...

in plants.

Species

The following species are recognised in the genus ''Epilobium'': Epilobiumbrachycarpum

*'' Epilobium × abortivum'' *'' Epilobium × aggregatum'' *'' Epilobium aitchisonii'' *'' Epilobium algidum'' *'' Epilobium alpestre'' *'' Epilobium alsinifolium'' – chickweed willowherb *'' Epilobium alsinoides'' *'' Epilobium × amphibolum'' *'' Epilobium amurense'' *'' Epilobium anagallidifolium'' – alpine willowherb, pimpernel willowherb *'' Epilobium anatolicum'' *'' Epilobium anglicum'' *''

Epilobium angustifolium ''Chamaenerion angustifolium'' is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the willowherb family, Onagraceae. It is known in North America as fireweed and in Britain and Ireland as rosebay willowherb. It is also known by the synonyms ''Chameri ...

'' *'' Epilobium angustum'' *''

Epilobium arcticum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' – Arctic willowherb *'' Epilobium × argillaceum'' *'' Epilobium arvernense'' *'' Epilobium × aschersonianum'' *'' Epilobium astonii'' *'' Epilobium atlanticum'' *''

Epilobium australe ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium barbeyanum'' *'' Epilobium billardiereanum'' – glabrous willowherb *'' Epilobium blinii'' *'' Epilobium × boissieri'' *'' Epilobium × borbasianum'' *'' Epilobium × brachiatum'' *'' Epilobium brachycarpum'' – tall willowherb, tall annual willowherb, tall fireweed, panicled willowherb *'' Epilobium brevifolium'' *'' Epilobium brevipes'' *''

Epilobium × brevipilum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium brevisquamatum'' *''

Epilobium × brunnatum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *''

Epilobium brunnescens ''Epilobium brunnescens'' is a flowering plant belonging to the willowherb genus ''Epilobium'' in the family Onagraceae. It is a small, creeping, perennial plant with white or pale pink flowers. It is native to New Zealand and south-east Australi ...

'' – New Zealand willowherb *'' Epilobium campestre'' – pygmy willowherb, smooth boisduvalia *''

Epilobium canum ''Epilobium canum'', also known as California fuchsia or Zauschneria, is a species of willowherb in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae).Sierra Nevada Wildflowers, Karen Wiese, 2nd ed., 2013, p99 It is native to dry slopes and in chaparral ...

'' – Zauschneria, California-fuchsia, hummingbird flower, hummingbird trumpet *''

Epilobium capense ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *''

Epilobium × celakovskyanum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium × chateri'' *'' Epilobium chionanthum'' *'' Epilobium chitralense'' *'' Epilobium chlorifolium'' *''

'' – fringed willowherb, American willowherb *'' Epilobium clarkeanum'' *'' Epilobium clavatum'' – talus willowherb, clavatefruit willowherb *'' Epilobium cleistogamum'' – selfing willowherb *'' Epilobium cockayneanum'' *''

Epilobium colchicum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium collinum'' *'' Epilobium coloratum'' – purpleleaf willowherb *''

Epilobium confertifolium ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium × confine'' *'' Epilobium × confusilobum'' *'' Epilobium confusum'' *'' Epilobium conjungens'' *'' Epilobium conspersum'' *'' Epilobium × cornubiense'' *'' Epilobium crassum'' *'' Epilobium curtisiae'' *'' Epilobium cylindricum'' *'' Epilobium × dacicum'' *'' Epilobium × dasycarpum'' *'' Epilobium davuricum'' – Daurian willowherb *'' Epilobium × decipiens'' *'' Epilobium densiflorum'' – denseflower willowherb, dense spike-primrose, dense boisduvalia *'' Epilobium densifolium'' *'' Epilobium densum'' – downy willowherb, stiff spike-primrose *'' Epilobium denticulatum'' *'' Epilobium detznerianum'' *''

Epilobium dodonaei Chamaenerion dodonaei is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the willowherb family, Onagraceae. Description Chamerion dodonaei kz04.jpg, Habitus Onagraceae - Epilobium dodonaei.jpg, Inflorescence Lookalikes It is a common species within ...

'' *'' Epilobium duriaei'' *''

Epilobium elegans ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium × erroneum'' *'' Epilobium × fallacinum'' *'' Epilobium fangii'' *''

Epilobium fastigiatoramosum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium fauriei'' *'' Epilobium × finitimum'' *'' Epilobium fleischeri'' *'' Epilobium × floridulum'' *'' Epilobium forbesii'' *'' Epilobium × fossicola'' *'' Epilobium fragile'' *''

Epilobium fugitivum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium gemmascens'' *'' Epilobium × gemmiferum'' *'' Epilobium × gerstlaueri'' *'' Epilobium glabellum'' – smooth spike-primrose *'' Epilobium glaberrimum'' – glaucous willowherb *'' Epilobium glaciale'' *'' Epilobium × glanduligerum'' *'' Epilobium glaucum'' *'' Epilobium × goerzii'' *'' Epilobium gouldii'' *'' Epilobium gracilipes'' *'' Epilobium × grenieri'' *'' Epilobium griffithianum'' *''

Epilobium gunnianum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium × gutteanum'' *''

Epilobium hallianum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' – glandular willowherb *'' Epilobium × haussknechtianum'' *'' Epilobium × haynaldianum'' *'' Epilobium × hectori-leveilleanum'' *'' Epilobium hectorii'' *'' Epilobium × heterocaulon'' *''

'' – great willowherb, great hairy willowherb, hairy willowherb, codlins-and-cream, apple-pie, cherry-pie *''

Epilobium hirtigerum ''Epilobium hirtigerum'', commonly known as the hairy willow herb, is a species in the family Onagraceae. It is found in Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands, and South America. In Australia, it is found in New South ...

'' *'' Epilobium hohuanense'' *''

Epilobium hooglandii ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium hornemannii'' – Hornemann's willowherb *'' Epilobium howellii'' – Yuba Pass willowherb, subalpine fireweed *'' Epilobium × huteri'' *''

Epilobium indicum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium insulare'' *''

Epilobium × interjectum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium × intersitum'' *'' Epilobium × jinshaense'' *'' Epilobium karsteniae'' *'' Epilobium × keredjense'' *'' Epilobium kermodei'' *'' Epilobium keysseri'' *'' Epilobium kingdonii'' *'' Epilobium × kitcheneri'' *'' Epilobium komarovianum'' – bronzy willowherb *'' Epilobium komarovii'' *'' Epilobium korshinskyi'' *'' Epilobium × krausei'' *'' Epilobium lactiflorum'' – milkflower willowherb, whiteflower willowherb *'' Epilobium ladakhianum'' *'' Epilobium laestadii'' *'' Epilobium × lamotteanum'' *'' Epilobium lanceolatum'' – spear-leaved willowherb *'' Epilobium × langeanum'' *'' Epilobium × laschianum'' *'' Epilobium latifolium'' *'' Epilobium laxum'' *'' Epilobium leiophyllum'' *''

Epilobium leptocarpum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' – slenderfruit willowherb *'' Epilobium leptophyllum'' – bog willowherb, linear-leaved willowherb *'' Epilobium × limosum'' *'' Epilobium lipschitzii'' *''

Epilobium luteum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' – yellow willowherb *'' Epilobium macropus'' *'' Epilobium margaretiae'' *'' Epilobium × marshallianum'' *'' Epilobium matthewsii'' *'' Epilobium maysillesii'' *'' Epilobium melanocaulon'' *'' Epilobium × mentiens'' *'' Epilobium microphyllum'' *''

Epilobium minutiflorum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *''

Epilobium minutum ''Epilobium minutum'' is a species of flowering plant, known by the common names little willowherb, chaparral willowherb and desert willowherb, in the family ''Onagraceae''. It is also called "smallflower willowherb" in reference to its relativel ...

'' – chaparral willowherb, desert willowherb, smallflower willowherb *'' Epilobium mirabile'' – Olympic Mountain willowherb *'' Epilobium × montaniforme'' *''

'' – broad-leaved willowherb *'' Epilobium nanhualpinum'' *'' Epilobium nankotaizanense'' – Nankotaizan willowherb *'' Epilobium × neogradiense'' *'' Epilobium nerterioides'' *''

Epilobium nevadense ''Epilobium nevadense'' is a rare and vulnerable species of flowering plant in the willowherb family Onagraceae. It is known from a few scattered populations in mountain ranges in Nevada, Utah, and northwestern Arizona. It grows on talus slopes ...

'' – Nevada willowherb *'' Epilobium nivale'' *''

Epilobium nivium ''Epilobium nivium'', commonly known as the Snow Mountain willowherb, is a perennial subshrub endemic to the Coast Range Mountains of Northern California. It was originally described based upon a collection from Snow Mountain. Although first de ...

'' – Snow Mountain willowherb *'' Epilobium × novae-civitatis'' *'' Epilobium nummulariifolium'' *'' Epilobium nutans'' *'' Epilobium × nutantiflorum'' *''

Epilobium obcordatum ''Epilobium obcordatum'' is a species of perennial plant in the evening-primrose family (Onagraceae), known by the common name rockfringe willowherb and rock fringe. It is native to the western United States from California to Idaho, where it i ...

'' – rockfringe willowherb *'' Epilobium × obscurescens'' *''

Epilobium obscurum ''Epilobium obscurum'' is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Onagraceae. Its native range is Macaronesia Macaronesia (; ) is a collection of four volcanic archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlantic, North Atlantic ...

'' – dwarf willowherb, short-fruited willowherb *'' Epilobium oreganum'' – Grants Pass willowherb, Oregon fireweed *'' Epilobium oregonense'' – Oregon willowherb *'' Epilobium × palatinum'' *'' Epilobium pallidiflorum'' *'' Epilobium pallidum'' – largeflower spike-primrose *'' Epilobium palustre'' – marsh willowherb *'' Epilobium pannosum'' *'' Epilobium parviflorum'' – small-flowered willowherb, hoary willowherb *'' Epilobium pedicellare'' *''

Epilobium pedunculare ''Epilobium pedunculare'' (''E. linnaeoides''), the rockery willowherb, is a species of ''Epilobium'' similar to '' E. brunnescens''.Webb, D.A., Parnell, J. and Doogue, D. 1996. ''An Irish Flora.'' Dundalgan Press (W.Tempest) Ltd. Dundalk. It i ...

'' – rockery willowherb *'' Epilobium pengii'' *'' Epilobium × percollinum'' *'' Epilobium pernitens'' *'' Epilobium perpusillum'' *'' Epilobium × persicinum'' *'' Epilobium petraeum'' *'' Epilobium pictum'' *''

Epilobium platystigmatosum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium ponticum'' *'' Epilobium porphyrium'' *'' Epilobium × prionophylloides'' *''

Epilobium prostratum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium pseudorubescens'' *'' Epilobium × pseudotrigonum'' *'' Epilobium psilotum'' *'' Epilobium pubens'' *'' Epilobium puberulum'' *'' Epilobium × pulchrum'' *''

Epilobium purpuratum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family (biology), family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in t ...

'' *'' Epilobium × purpureum'' *''

Epilobium pycnostachyum ''Epilobium pycnostachyum'', or scree epilobium, is a species of willowherb that is endemic to New Zealand. It grows exclusively on scree slopes on mountains. Description A small herb with a few branches that spread out and then up. The leaves ...

'' *'' Epilobium pyrricholophum'' *'' Epilobium ravenii'' – leafy willowherb, California willowherb *'' Epilobium rechingeri'' *'' Epilobium × reedii'' *'' Epilobium rhynchospermum'' *''

Epilobium rigidum ''Epilobium rigidum'' is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common names stiff willowherb and Siskiyou Mountains willowherb. It is endemic to the Klamath Mountains of far northern California and ...

'' – stiff willowherb, Siskiyou Mountains willowherb *'' Epilobium × rivulare'' *'' Epilobium × rivulicola'' *''

Epilobium roseum ''Epilobium roseum'' is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Onagraceae The Onagraceae are a family of flowering plants known as the willowherb family or evening primrose family. They include about 650 species of herbs, shrubs, ...

'' – pale willowherb *''

Epilobium rostratum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium rotundifolium'' *'' Epilobium royleanum'' *'' Epilobium rubromarginatum'' *'' Epilobium salignum'' *'' Epilobium sarmentaceum'' *'' Epilobium saximontanum'' – Rocky Mountain willowherb *'' Epilobium × schmidtianum'' *'' Epilobium × schulzeanum'' *'' Epilobium semiamplexicaule'' *'' Epilobium septentrionale'' – northern willowherb, Humboldt County fuchsia *'' Epilobium × sericeum'' *'' Epilobium sikkimense'' *'' Epilobium × similatum'' *'' Epilobium × simulatum'' *''

Epilobium sinense ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *''

Epilobium siskiyouense ''Epilobium siskiyouense'' is a rare species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common names Siskiyou willowherb and Siskiyou fireweed (though it is not a true fireweed). Distribution The plant is endemic to the K ...

'' – Siskiyou willowherb, Siskiyou fireweed *'' Epilobium smithii'' *'' Epilobium speciosum'' *'' Epilobium spitianum'' *'' Epilobium staintonii'' *'' Epilobium stereophyllum'' *'' Epilobium stevenii'' *'' Epilobium stracheyanum'' *'' Epilobium subalgidum'' *''

Epilobium subcoriaceum ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium subdentatum'' *'' Epilobium suffruticosum'' – shrubby willowherb *'' Epilobium × surreyanum'' *'' Epilobium taiwanianum'' *'' Epilobium tasmanicum'' *'' Epilobium tetragonum'' – square-stemmed willowherb *'' Epilobium thermophilum'' *'' Epilobium × thuringiacum'' *'' Epilobium tianschanicum'' *'' Epilobium tibetanum'' *'' Epilobium tonkinense'' *'' Epilobium torreyi'' – Torrey's willowherb, brook spike-primrose *'' Epilobium × treleaseanum'' *'' Epilobium trichophyllum'' *'' Epilobium tulinianum'' *'' Epilobium turkestanicum'' *'' Epilobium × udicola'' *'' Epilobium × uechtritzianum'' *'' Epilobium ulleungensis'' *'' Epilobium vernicosum'' *'' Epilobium vernonicum'' *'' Epilobium verticillatum'' *'' Epilobium × vicinum'' *'' Epilobium wallichianum'' *'' Epilobium × waterfallii'' *'' Epilobium wattianum'' *'' Epilobium williamsii'' *'' Epilobium willisii'' *''

Epilobium wilsonii ''Epilobium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species. The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and ...

'' *'' Epilobium × winkleri'' *'' Epilobium × wisconsinense'' – Wisconsin willowherb

Formerly placed here

* '' Stylidium tenellum'' (as ''E. tonkinense'') It is possible to distinguish between leaves of different ''Epilobium'' species using high-accuracy FT-IR method based on attenuated total reflection (ATR) without time-consuming preparation.Krajšek, S., Buh, P., Zega, A., Kreft, S. (2008). Identification of herbarium whole-leaf samples of ''Epilobium'' species by ATR-IR spectroscopy. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 5:310-31
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cbdv.200890028/abstract;jsessionid=46F30B7C6B30DADFBD57A4789993E047.f01t02
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Footnotes

References

* Bleeker, Walter; Schmitz, Ulf & Ristow, Michael (2007): Interspecific hybridisation between alien and native plant species in Germany and its consequences for native biodiversity. ''Biological Conservation'' 137 (2): 248–253. (HTML abstract, appendix reserved for subscribers) * Steenkamp, V; Gouws, M.C; Gulumian, M; Elgorashi, E.E. & van Stade, J. (2006): Studies on antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of herbal remedies used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis. ''Journal of Ethnopharmacology'' 103 (1): 71–75.
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* * * Wagner, W.L. & Hoch, P.C. 009b Evening Primrose Family website &ndash
''Epilobium''
Retrieved 2009-JAN-26. {{Authority control Onagraceae genera Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus