Pimpernel willowherb (Epilobium anagallidifolium, Encycl. 2: 376 (1786))

Family: Onagraceae

Author: Lam.

Bibliography: Encycl. 2: 376 (1786)

Year: 1786

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Epilobium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

Pimpernel willowherb, scientifically known as Epilobium anagallidifolium, is an intriguing plant species belonging to the Onagraceae family. This particular willowherb was first officially recorded in “Encycl. 2: 376” back in 1786 thanks to the work of the esteemed botanist Lam.

Native to the subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Pimpernel willowherb thrives in cooler climates where it has adapted to survive and flourish. Its habitat straddles a variety of environments, typically favoring moist, open areas such as meadows and alongside streams where it can take advantage of the ample moisture.

Visually, Pimpernel willowherb captures attention with its delicate structure. The plant sports slender, erect stems that are often tinged with shades of green or red, adorned with small, ovate leaves that are reminiscent of those found on the pimpernel plant—hence the name. Further enhancing its appeal, this willowherb species produces small, yet striking flowers that contribute to the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits.

The pimpernel willowherb is not just notable for its beauty; it also plays a crucial role in its ecosystem. It provides support to various pollinators and contributes to the overall health of its natural environment, highlighting the importance of preserving such native species in our increasingly changing world.

In conclusion, the Pimpernel willowherb (Epilobium anagallidifolium) is a noteworthy member of the Onagraceae family, with a historical botanical background and a significant presence in subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Its delicate appearance and ecological importance underline the value of this plant both in scientific study and environmental conservation.

Common Names

Deu: gauchheil-weidenröschen, gauchheilblättriges weidenröschen
Eng: pimpernel willowherb, alpine willowherb
Nob: dvergmjølke
Nno: dvergmjølke
Swe: dvärgdunört, tunturihorsma
Fin: tunturihorsma
Sme: duottarhorbmá
Fra: épilobe à feuilles de mouron, épilobe à feuilles d’anagallide
Cym: helyglys mynyddig, helyglys y mynydd
En: Pimpernel willowherb, Dwarf fireweed, Alpine willowherb, Alpine willowweed
Bg: Алпийска върбовка
Ca: Epilobi alpí
Zh: 新疆柳叶菜
Cs: Vrbovka drchničkolistá
Fi: Tunturihorsma
Fr: Épilobe à feuilles de mouron, Épilobe à feuilles d’anagallide
De: Alpen-Weidenröschen, Gauchheil-Weidenröschen, Gauchheilblättriges Weidenröschen
It: Garofanino alpino
Se: Duottarhorbmá
Nb: Dvergmjølke
Nn: Dvergmjølke
Fa: علف خر برگ‌باریک
Sv: Dvärgdunört, Tunturihorsma
Uk: Зніт курячоочковий
Cy: Helyglys y mynydd, Helyglys Mynyddig

Synonyms

• Epilobium anagallidifolium f. scapoides (E.S.Marshall)
• Epilobium anagallidifolium f. zapalowiczii (Tacik)
• Epilobium pseudoscaposum (Hausskn.)
• Epilobium alpinum var. fontanum (Wahlenb.)
• Epilobium anagallidifolium var. pseudoscaposum ((Hausskn.) Hultén)
• Epilobium athelespermum (H.Lév.)
• Epilobium dielsii (H.Lév.)
• Epilobium alpinum subsp. anagallidifolium ((Lam.) Čelak.)
• Epilobium cernuum (Pall. ex Hausskn.)
• Epilobium nakaharanum (Nakai)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Svalbard (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

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.

Habit

Taken Sep 4, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Luc Gorremans (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Martine MARTHOURET ROBERT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2022 by eric buffard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 6, 2021 by Frédéric Faure (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2019 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2020 by mel jon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by Rohweder Karsten (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 13, 2022 by Rohweder Karsten (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2022 by josef casutt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2021 by marlbobbins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 6, 2021 by Frédéric Faure (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2019 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2021 by Frédéric Faure (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2018 by Serena Schade (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3189068)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:611612-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Epilobium anagallidifolium Lam.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 4