Epilobium fleischeri

Fleischer fireweed (Epilobium fleischeri )

The butcher fireweed (Epilobium fleischeri ) belongs to the genus of fireweed (Epilobium ). In Austria, this kind mountain stream fireweed or willow herb is called gravel.

Description

The perennial plant is about 10 to 30 cm high and has numerous prostrate to ascending arching stems that are slightly woody in the lower part. The leaves are alternate, sessile, linear - lanceolate and glandular- toothed. The stalked flowers are 5 to 10 in a racemose inflorescence. The crown is wide up to 3 cm, with four pink petals and deep red, narrow sepals.

Blooms from July to September.

Occurrence

This species is only in the Alps ( particularly in the western Alps ) from the valley spread up to 2,700 m. The kalkmeidende fireweed is a colonizer on gravel ( benches ), boulders, river gravel, moraines and moist debris.

In Austria it is scattered in the Tyrol and Vorarlberg to be found and is considered endangered.

Others

The plant is an outspoken Rohbodenpionier. With numerous foothills and thanks to her hair Schopf airworthy seeds they quickly conquered new gravel plains. With its showy flowers that attract insects, it can even take the risk of self- sterility.