Rosebay Willowherb is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in heath, woodland margins and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 150cm.
Rosebay Willowherb is called 'Rosebay' from a perceived similarity between its flowers and those of the wild rose, and its bay-like leaves. It is called 'Willowherb' because the leaves also have a finely-serrated edge, and similar shape, to those of willow species. Rosebay Willowherb is sometimes known as 'Fireweed', as it is able to quickly colonise burnt ground. Rosebay Willowherb is an erect unbranched plant with oppositely-paired fairly narrow, elongated leaves and reddish stems. It bears its purple or magenta flowers in tall spikes. Following pollination, the flowers give way to feathery seeds, which are distributed by wind disperal.
Botanic classification and naming: Rosebay Willowherb is a member of the Evening Primrose (Onagraceae) family. The genus name
'Chamerion' identifies the plant as a Fireweed and its species name 'angustifolium' means 'narrow-leaved plant'.
Benefits: Pollinated by bees and hoverflies and a food source for caterpillars of the Elephant Hawk Moth.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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