Epilobium hirsutum L.
hairy willlowherb (codlins and cream; hairy willowherb)
Onagraceae (Evening Primrose family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Jamie Fenneman     (Photo ID #7418)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Epilobium hirsutum
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Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from a rhizome; stems erect, 80-150 cm tall, branching above, densely glandular-hairy with some spreading hairs.
Leaves:
Mostly opposite, oblong-lanceolate, 6-12 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm wide, reduced above and on branches, tips pointed, hairy, especially along veins, margins toothed and fringed; unstalked.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of terminal racemes on main stem and branches, flowers erect in bud; petals broadly egg-shaped, distinctly notched, 12-16 mm long, deep purplish-rose; sepals 7-9 mm long, hooded, sharp-pointed; outer stamens twice length of inner; stigmas 4-lobed, exceeding longest stamens.
Fruits:
Capsules, 5-8 cm long, downy-hairy; seeds about 1 mm long, oblong egg-shaped, pointed at base, brownish-red, dense with sharp pimples.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Habitat and Range

Roadside ditches and moist waste places in the lowland zone; rare in SW BC (lower Fraser Valley) and SC BC (Okanagan Valley); introduced from Eurasia.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia