Appearance
"Epilobium ciliatum" is a clumping perennial often exceeding 1.5 metres in height. It has thickly veined lance-shaped leaves which may be up to 15 centimeters long toward the base of the plant. The foliage, stem, and inflorescence are covered in bristly hairs and glands.There are four sepals. The regular, trumpet-shaped flowers have four petals which are so deeply notched they look like four pairs. They are white to light purple or pink with dark veining. There are eight stamens and a club-shaped stigma. The fruit is a narrow, hairy, four-chambered capsule up to 10 centimeters in length which may be held on a long stalk. The seeds are downy and can float for long distances with the wind.
Naming
Three subspecies are currently recognized:⤷ "Epilobium ciliatum" ssp. "ciliatum"
⤷ "Epilobium ciliatum" ssp. "glandulosum" — Hoch & P.H.Raven
⤷ "Epilobium ciliatum" ssp. "watsonii" — Hoch & P.H.Raven
Distribution
"Epilobium ciliatum" is native to the southern part of Canada and most of the United States of America. It arrived in northern Europe early in the 20th century and spread rapidly, reaching Finland in about 1920. It is a plant of moist places, stream-sides, ditches, ponds, gardens, roadsides, recently cleared areas and wasteland.
Habitat
This perennial herbaceous plant usually occurs in wetlands, but may be found in a great variety of habitats, including disturbed areas and roadsides, at elevations below 1,400 metres.References:
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