Scientific Family
Onagraceae
Synonyms
Epilobium paniculatum
Other common names
panicle willowweed
tall fireweed
autumn willowherb
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
1 to 6 feet
Riparian
No
Highly variable, erect, many-branched plants have a large tap root and hybridize freely.
Plant 8 inches to 6 feet tall; leaves glandular above, fine short hairs below; sepals 1/16 to 5/16 inch, petals 1/8 to 1/2 inch; seeds 1/16 to 1/8 inch; seed hair-tuft present.
Habitat
Dry soils and open areas in woodlands, grasslands, and roadsides.
Plant Community
Desert Scrub
Disturbed Areas
Grasslands
Interior Chaparral
Montane Conifer Forest
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
8500
Flower Characteristics
Racemes terminate in numerous branches of flowers which have 4 deeply notched petals. The calyx tube is narrow and funnel shaped.
Flower color
Pink to light purple
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Lower stems are smooth with a peeling outer layer. There are some rigid hairs on the upper stems.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruits are 4-celled elongated capsules.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Light brown
Seeds are tipped with a prominent tuft of long soft hairs which are a distinguishing feature between mustards and willowweeds.