Scientific Family
Onagraceae
Synonyms
Epilobium alpinum var. nutans, Epilobium origanifolium
Other common names
Hornemann's willowweed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
4 to 16 inches
Riparian
Yes
Subterranean scaly branches but without turions (buds capable of growing into a complete plant). Stems 4 to 16 inches, erect or nearly so, without hairs except for the soft short hairs on the descending lines from the bases of the leaves.
Plants of moist environments; rhizomes with fleshy scales, but no winter buds; stems with a few pairs of opposite leaves, up to 12 inches tall; leaves short-stemmed and spreading; flower receptacle extends beyond the ovary, flowers about 3/4 inch long.
Habitat
Streambanks and other wet places; found at upper elevations in the mountains.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
7000
High elevation
11000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are few and erect. Sepals 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. 4 petals, fused into a cup, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, with a small notch at the tip, crossed by a few darker lines which extend from the base to almost the outer edge.
Flower color
Light purple to purple
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves mostly opposite, leaf blades oval and slender, 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches long, mostly a blunt tip; the leaf edge is toothed.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsules are 1-1/2 to 2 inches long, very slender, less than 1/16 inch thick, narrow and erect; split open when ripe.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Green
Seeds are 1/16 inch long with drab tuft of hairs (coma).