Plant
Dwarf Fireweed
Chamaenerion latifoliumAlso known as River Beauty Willowherb, Broad-leaved Willowherb, River Beauty, Alpine Fireweed
Dwarf fireweed thrives along chilly Arctic gravel bars, riverbanks, and alpine talus slopes across the Northern Hemisphere. Forming low clumps from a sturdy rootstock, this perennial herb produces striking magenta blossoms that nod gently above gray-green, waxy leaves. Its vibrant blooms offer crucial nectar for cold-tolerant pollinators during the brief high-latitude summer.
ArcticAlpineFlowering
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySunlight, Soil Minerals, Water
Predators
- Caribou
- Grizzly Bears
- Dall Sheep
ThreatsClimate warming, tundra erosion, habitat disruption
HabitatsArctic tundra, alpine talus, gravel riverbeds, glacial washouts
Life spanPerennial (10+ years)
Classification
- FamilyOnagraceae
- SpeciesChamaenerion latifolium
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation timing: Look for bright magenta blooms along gravelly mountain streams from July to August.
- Tread lightly: Watch your footing on fragile riverbar and alpine habitats to prevent root damage.
Frequent Companion Dani.j.lombardi / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion (c) William Stephens, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by William Stephens · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.