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Scientific Name | Chamerion angustifolium ssp. angustifolium | USDA PLANTS Symbol | CHANA2 |
Common Name | Fireweed | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 566019 |
Family | Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) | SEINet Reference |
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Description | Life zones and habitat: Foothills to subalpine (ssp. angustifolium above timberline); forest, meadows, streamsides. Plant: Erect, multi-stemmed perennial, 18 to 48 inches tall. Leaves: Lanceolate to elliptic, 2 to 8 inches long; alternate or the lower leaves opposite, sessile or nearly so; smooth surfaces and edges and prominent veins. Inflorescence: Terminal racemes of numerous (more than 15) pink or magenta flowers, each about 1-inch across with 4 petals and 4 narrower, pointed sepals beneath of a similar color; prominent protruding stamens (8) with dark anthers and white 4-lobed stigma that extends beyond stamens; inconspicuous bracts are not leafy. Bloom Period: July to September. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, "Alpine Flora of the Rocky Mountains" by Richard Scott, SW Colorado Wildflowers and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map![]() |
Colorado Status: Native |
Scientific Name | Chamerion latifolium | USDA PLANTS Symbol | CHA13 |
Common Name | Alpine Fireweed, Dwarf Fireweed | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 510758 |
Family | Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) | Wildflower Center Reference |
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Description | Life zones and habitat: Montane to alpine; gravelly, moist soils often along creeks, rocky areas, scree slopes. Plant: Erect perennial, with single or multi-branched stems 4 to 16 inches tall. Leaves: Thick, fleshy, grayish leaves, lanceolate to elliptic, 1/2 to 3-1/8 inches long; alternate or the lower leaves opposite, sessile or nearly so; pubescent surfaces, edges smooth or with very small teeth. Inflorescence: Terminal racemes of a few (less than 12) pink or magenta flowers, often purple-veined, each about 1-inch across with 4 petals and 4 narrower, pointed reddish sepals beneath; prominent protruding stamens (8) with dark anthers and shorter white 4-lobed stigma; conspicuous leafy bracts beneath. Bloom Period: July to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, "Alpine Flora of the Rocky Mountains" by Richard Scott, and www.americansouthwest.net. |
BONAP Distribution Map![]() |
Colorado Status: Native |