Epilobium

Epilobium 

(willow herb), a genus of plants of the family Onagraceae. They are perennial herbs with entire leaves. The flowers, which are regular or slightly irregular, are generally pink or purple and gathered in racemes. The perianth is fourmembered. There are eight stamens. The fruit is a long, narrow capsule. There are approximately 200 species, distributed in the nontropical regions throughout the world. In the USSR there are approximately 60 species. A widespread species is fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium), which grows along felled forests, burned forests, and forest edges. It is one of the most productive nectar plants. The leaves, which contain vitamin C and carotene, are suitable for salads; the young shoots and rhizomes are also edible. Before blossoming, Epilobium is readily eaten by cattle. Fireweed and closely related species have often been classified in a special genus, Chamaenerion.