Carried by 2 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is a native perennial herb in the Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) family that grows primarily in the Sierras and North Coast Ranges, with scattered locations elsewhere in the state. It is a pioneer species that is most often seen in burned forest areas. After fire or disturbance is can become the dominant species in an area. As trees and large shrubs return, Fireweed disappears. The attractive flowers have four magenta to pink petals, 2 to 3 cm in diameter, and have a resemblance to some Clarkia species. It is very hardy and it said to survive in areas of oil spill. It is not often seen in residential gardens but is useful in restoration projects or to rapidly fill in a large, bare area.
Perennial herb
1 ft Tall
1 ft Wide
Fast
Pink
Summer, Fall
Containers
Full Sun
Very Low
Moderate
Tolerates cold to -15° F
Prefers somewhat acidic soils.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 6.6
open slopes
Disturbed Places
-
Likely
-
Confirmed
White-Shouldered Bumble Bee
Bombus appositus
Central Bumble Bee
Bombus centralis
Yellow Head Bumble Bee
Bombus flavifrons
Fuzzy-horned Bumble Bee
Bombus mixtus
Olives
Olea europaea