Great Willowherb

Epilobium hirsutum

The Great Willowherb is a tall flower with beautiful pink-purple blooms. It loves to grow in wet places like riverbanks and marshes, making it a lovely sight in nature!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Great Willowherb is a tall plant, recognized by its fuzzy stems and large, showy pink to magenta flowers with four notched petals. Its slightly toothed, hairy leaves grow opposite each other, making it stand out in damp environments.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMyrtalesFamilyOnagraceaeGenusEpilobium

Great Willowherb

Interesting facts

Its scientific name, Epilobium, means 'flower on a pod.'

Its seeds wear a fluffy white coat, like tiny parachutes!

The stems can grow taller than a small child, up to 2 meters!

You can find Great Willowherb growing right by rivers and ponds.

Special abilities

Great Willowherb has super fluffy seeds that catch the wind, helping them travel far and wide to new places.

This plant uses underground stems called rhizomes to quickly spread and form dense patches.

Its bright, nectar-rich flowers are a beacon for buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies.

Measurements & details

Height: 50-200 cm
Spread: 50-100 cm
Flower Size: 2-3 cm
Bloom Season: Summer (June-September)
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Honey bees collect nectar from its abundant flowers.

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Bumblebees are frequent visitors, gathering nectar and pollen.

pollinates

Red Admiral

Vanessa atalanta

Butterflies feed on nectar, helping to spread pollen.

parasitizes

Willowherb leaf miner fly

Phytomyza epilobii

Its larvae create tunnels by feeding inside the plant's leaves.

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.