Photographs: Co. Cork

New Zealand Willowherb Epilobium brunnescens Saileachán sraoilleach Family: Onagraceae Flowering time: May-October. Perennial. Introduced. Pale pink or white flowers on long, slender stalks followed by long seed pods. Small circular-oval leaves, opposite, stalked and usually green with purplish undersides, sometimes bronzy-coloured. Only the central vein is clearly indented. A low-growing spreading plant, stems rooting at nodes Damp, stony, open ground. Paths, forestry tracks, stream-sides. Introduced from New Zealand, now naturalised and spreading. Similar: Bronzy Willowherb (Epilobium komarovianum) Leaves more circular with distinctive net-like veining on upper surfaces.

New Zealand Willowherb, Epilobium brunnescens, Saileachán sraoilleach