Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Myrtales
Family: Onagraceae
Genus: Epilobium
Species: E. ciliatum
Binomial name: Epilobium ciliatum
Common names: Tall willowherb, Willow herb, Fringed willowherb, Hairy willowherb
Epilobium ciliatum is an erect species of willowherb. Its name Epilobium is from 2 Greek words epi, "upon," and lobos, "a pod or capsule," as the flower and capsule appear together, the corolla being borne on the end of the ovary. Ciliatum is from cilium (small hairs) fringed with hair.
This plant is found in many parts of the world. It is native to much of North America and eastern Asia, and it is an introduced species in much of Eurasia and New Zealand. It may be found in a great variety of habitats, including disturbed areas, roadsides and damp areas.
This is a clumping perennial often exceeding one and a half meters in height. It has thickly veined lance-shaped leaves which may be up to 15 centimetres long toward the base of the plant. The leaves are opposite or with upper ones alternate, ovate to lance-like, sometimes toothed.
The foliage, stem, and inflorescence are covered in bristly hairs and glands.
The trumpet-shaped flowers (>10mm across) have four petals which are so deeply notched they look like four pairs. The flowers are white to light purple or pink with dark veining. The stigma is not branched.
The fruit is a narrow, hairy capsule up to 10 centimetres in length, and it may be held on a long stalk.
Young plant
White flower
A pink flower.
The long seed pod.
Curling sides of the open seed pods
The underside of a leaf.
The stem can be red in colour.
Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
