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Epilobium hirtigerum

Posted Fri, 07/05/2010 - 13:30 by locust
Common Names: 
Grey Willowherb

A common colonising species with softly hairy greyish, toothed leaves. Younger plants may be less hairy. The flowers are produced at the end of a long ovary and are white. These are shy to open, like many in this family, they may be night blooming. The seed pods split to release the seeds on plumes that catch the wind. Small_Grey_Willowherb_seed_detail.JPG

Ecology: 

This is a colonising species, readily covering damp open ground. It is a food plant for the attractive Scrofa Hawkmoth (Hippotion scrofa). (though this species will also feed on the Willowherb's cousin, the Garden Fuschia).

Gardening Hints: 

This species may be a nuisance by out competing young plants of more desirable species but is worth keeping if you have vacant ground where it will fill spaces that would otherwise be occupied by exotic weeds. It will often persist as a minor component of an established wetland planting, adding diversity and resilience.