Photographs: Co. Cork

Rosebay Willowherb / Fireweed Chamaenerion angustifolium (Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium angustifolium) Lus na tine Family: Onagraceae Flowering: July-September. Perennial. Introduced in most areas. The tall leafless racemes of slightly irregular purple-pink flowers are followed by small seeds on long cottony hairs. Leaves are un-toothed, alternate and narrowly lanceolate with short stalks. An erect nearly hairless plant with unbranched stems. Height to 150cm. A locally frequent introduction on waste ground, cleared forestry, bog margins, roadsides and railway tracks. Also a very rare native in some mountainous areas.

Rosebay Willowherb, Chamaenerion angustifolium, Lus na tine