Downy Willow Herb

(Epilobium strictum)

Downy Willow Herb (Epilobium strictum Muhl. ex Spreng.)

Identification: Flowers small (less than 0.25 inches in width), white or pink, with 4 petals. Stigma entire, not divided into 4 parts. Flowers on flower stalks of medium length, not nodding (hanging downward). Flowers arising from the leaf axils. Seedpods narrow and elongate. Plant relatively unbranched. Stem and leaves covered with whitish down. Stem hairs soft and straight. Leaves alternate, elongate, very narrow, with the outer margin without teeth. Plant 4 to 24 inches in height.

Distribution: Minnesota in the west to the Gaspe Peninsula in the east, southward to northern Virginia and Illinois.

Habitat: Downy Willow Herb is found in bogs and swamps.

Flowering period: July to September.

Similar Species: Purple-leaved Willow Herb and Northern Willow Herb both have wider and toothed leaves. Narrow-leaved Willow Herb is very similar to this species. Narrow-leaved Willow Herb is more heavily branched and the leaves are slightly narrower. The hairs on the stem of Downy Willow Herb are soft and straight. In contrast the stem hairs of Narrow-leaved Willow Herb are minute and curved.