American willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum, Med. Repos. 2(5): 361 (1808))

Family: Onagraceae

Author: Raf.

Bibliography: Med. Repos. 2(5): 361 (1808)

Year: 1808

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Epilobium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere to Guatemala, S. South America

Description

The American willowherb, scientifically known as Epilobium ciliatum, is a versatile plant belonging to the Onagraceae family. Documented as early as 1808 by botanist Rafinesque in the Medical Repository, this species plays an important role in various ecosystems across a wide geographical range.

Epilobium ciliatum is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and extends its reach southward to Guatemala as well as to southern parts of South America. This broad distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability to diverse climatic conditions and terrains. Known for its slender, erect stems and small, delicate flowers, the American willowherb often thrives in moist environments such as riverbanks, wetlands, and disturbed areas like roadsides and fields.

The flowers of the American willowherb are typically pink to lavender, with four petals that give a simple yet elegant appearance. The plant blooms from late spring to early fall, attracting various pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which play a significant role in its propagation. Post-flowering, Epilobium ciliatum produces small, hairy seeds that are easily dispersed by the wind, facilitating its spread across vast areas.

As a member of the Onagraceae family, the American willowherb shares several characteristics with other willowherbs and evening primroses. One notable feature is its cylindrical seed capsules, which burst open to release numerous seeds, each adorned with fine hair that aids in wind dispersal.

The American willowherb is not just a resilient and adaptable species; it also serves various ecological functions. It helps to stabilize soil in erosion-prone areas and provides habitat and food for local wildlife. Its presence in diverse habitats underscores its importance in the maintenance of ecological balance and biodiversity.

In conclusion, Epilobium ciliatum, or American willowherb, is a remarkable plant that underscores nature’s ingenuity in adapting to a wide range of environments. With its modest beauty and ecological significance, it remains a species of interest for botanists and ecologists alike.

Common Names

Eng: american willowherb, fringed willowherb, glandular willowherb, northern willowherb, hairy willowherb, purple-leaved willowherb
Deu: amerikanisches weidenröschen, bewimpertes weidenröschen, drüsiges weidenröschen
Nld: beklierde basterdwederik
Fra: epilobe cilié, épilobe cilié
Ita: epilobio cigliato, garofanino ciliato
Dan: hvid dueurt
Pol: wierzbownica gruczołowata
Nno: amerikamjølke
Nob: amerikamjølke
Hun: jövevény füzike
Est: punakas pajulill
Swe: vaalea-amerikanhorsma, vit dunört, stadsdunört, vitblommig dunört
Fin: vaalea-amerikanhorsma
Ces: vrbovka žliaznatá, vrbovka žláznatá
Cym: helyglys america, helyglys americanaidd
En: American willowherb, Glandular willowherb, Fringed willowherb, Northern willowherb, Hairy willowherb, Purple-leaved willowherb, Coast Willowweed
Cs: Vrbovka žliaznatá, Vrbovka žláznatá
Da: Hvid dueurt
Nl: Beklierde basterdwederik, Gewimperde Basterdwederik
Et: Punakas pajulill
Fi: Vaalea-amerikanhorsma
Fr: Epilobe cilié, Épilobe cilié, Épilobe à tige glanduleuse
De: Amerikanisches Weidenröschen, Bewimpertes Weidenröschen, Drüsiges Weidenröschen
Hu: Jövevény füzike
It: Epilobio cigliato, Garofanino ciliato, Garofanino con fusto glandoloso
Nb: Amerikamjølke
Nn: Amerikamjølke
Pl: Wierzbownica gruczołowata
Es: Epibolio ciliado
Sv: Vaalea-amerikanhorsma, Vit dunört, Stadsdunört, Vitblommig dunört
Cy: Helyglys America, Helyglys Americanaidd

Synonyms

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Arizona (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Falkland Is. (native)
• Finland (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yukon (native)
• Antipodean Is. (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Føroyar (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Iceland (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Kazakhstan (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Other

Taken Aug 3, 2018 by Lisa J (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2019 by melanie jongen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 29, 2021 by Jess Suárez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2019 by Angel KV (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by Saoirse Green (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2021 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2020 by Borte Manuel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2022 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2019 by Marcel Arndt (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2019 by Juan Ignacio Rovira (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2020 by moi khi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2021 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2021 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 31, 2021 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2018 by Alain COPPIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2021 by Barry Cornelius (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2019 by Jean Jacques Seynaeve (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2018 by Paula Cid (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by Terje Norli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2021 by Jean-Francois Julien (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2021 by Terje Norli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Gradwohl Markus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2022 by Ellen T (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 3, 2018 by Lisa J (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Michel MONTEIL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Michel MONTEIL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2017 by Anne Van Witzenburg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2021 by grutz (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:611725-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/9188840)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Epilobium ciliatum Raf.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Soil nutriments: 7