Plant · GBIF taxon 6428353
Fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifoliumAlso known as Rosebay Willowherb, Great Willowherb, Bombweed
Fireweed rapidly colonizes burned timberlands and disturbed soils, painting northern landscapes in vibrant magenta pink every summer. Spire-like racemes bloom progressively from bottom to top, signaling the march of late summer toward autumn. Millions of tiny, silky-haired seeds travel far on gentle breezes, allowing this resilient pioneer plant to jump-start forest regeneration.
FloweringPioneer SpeciesBoreal
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic
Predators
- Elk
- Moose
- Caterpillars
ThreatsForest canopy closure, habitat development, broadcast herbicides
HabitatsBurned forests, clearings, roadsides, tundra, and meadows
Life spanPerennial (clones persist for decades)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderMyrtales
- FamilyOnagraceae
- GenusChamaenerion
- SpeciesChamaenerion angustifolium
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
- Location Spotting: Look for massive magenta sweeps across recently burned woodlands and sunny clearings.
- Seasonal Indicator: Observe how flowers bloom bottom to top, marking the turn of late summer.
Close Relative (c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Member (c) Tom Pollard, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Pollard · cc-by
Family Member (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · cc-by
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