Great willowherb  (Epilobium hirsutm)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

Great willowherb is a tall, common herb. It has a densely hairy stem (2) bearing long, narrow leaves that taper to a point and are similar in appearance to those of willows, hence the name ‘willowherb’ (4). The leaves and stems are very woolly, referred to by the specific Latin name ‘hirsutum', which means hairy. The flowers have a rosy flush and the stigmas are creamy white. This colouration is thought to have led to the alternative name of ‘codlins-and-cream’; codlins were cooking apples, and were often boiled in milk and eaten with cream (4). The seeds are contained within a downy, narrow seed capsule which measures 5-8 cm in length (2).

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