Chamerion latifolium (L.) Holub

Dwarf fireweed

Fireweeds

	Chamerion angustifolium	You are here Chamerion latifolium
Common Name	fireweed	dwarf fireweed
Plant	1½–8′ (50–250 cm) in height, with a single, erect stem that reddens later in the season, sometimes branching to multiple flower spikes.	Less than 2′ (70 cm), with stiff, woody stems.
Leaves	2½–6″ (7–15 cm) long, with smooth edges, and are long and narrow, tapering to sharp tips. The leaf veins form distinctive circular loops.	⅜–4 ⨉ ½–¾″ (1–10 ⨉ 1.3–1.9 cm), alternate, sessile, elliptic to widely lanceolate in shape. Leaves are gray-green, with a single prominent vein on the underside. Leaf tips may be pointed or rounded.
Flowers	Flower spikes are 4–10″ (10–25 cm) long, with pink flowers about ½″ (1.3 cm) in diameter, each with four petals.	A raceme of striking, rough-haired hot pink or pur­ple flowers (sometimes white), tilted sideways or nod­ding downwards. The four petals are up to 1″ (3 cm) long. Sharp-tipped, darker pink sepals form a backdrop. Flowers appear from July to August.
Fruit	Seed pods are reddish-brown, about 1½″ (3.8 cm) long, splitting and curling when dry to expose silken fibers and about 80,000 seeds per plant.	Elongated, narrow capsules 1–4″ (3–10 cm) long, with seeds at the tip that are 1/32–1/16″ (1.3–2.4 mm).
Range/ Zones	USDA Zones: 2-7
Habitats	Newly exposed land, such as that left behind from forest fires	At elevations from sea level to 13000 feet.

Chamerion latifolium description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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