Epilobium angustifolium

Epilobium angustifolium

The great willowherb or rosebay willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium L., 1753) is a herbaceous species belonging to the Onagraceae family.

Systematic –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Subkingdom Tracheobionta,
Spermatophyta Superdivision,
Division Magnoliophyta,
Class Magnoliopsida,
Subclass Rosidae,
Order Myrtales,
Family Onagraceae,
Subfamily Onagroideae,
Tribe Epilobieae,
Genus Epilobium,
Species E. angustifolium.
The terms are synonymous:
– Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Scop.;
– Chamaenerion angustifolium (L.) Schur (1866);
– Chamaerion angustifolium (L.) Holub (1972);
– Chamaenerion angustifolium subsp. angustifolium;
– Chamaenerion denticulatum Schur;
– Chamaenerion spicatum (Lam.) Gray;
– Epilobium antonianum Pers.;
– Epilobium brachycarpum Leight. (1841);
– Epilobium difforme Gilib.;
– Epilobium elatum Munro ex Hausskn.;
– Epilobium gesneri Vill. (1779);
– Epilobium gracile Brügger (1882);
– Epilobium latifolium F.W.Schmidt;
– Epilobium latifolium Matt.;
– Epilobium leiostylon Peterm. (1849);
– Epilobium macrocarpum Stephan (1842);
– Epilobium montanum Hacq.;
– Epilobium neriifolium H.Lév. (1896);
– Epilobium persicifolium Vill.;
– Epilobium rubrum Lucé (1823);
– Epilobium salicifolium Clairv. (1811);
– Epilobium salicifolium Stokes (1812);
– Epilobium spicatum Lam. (1779);
– Epilobium spicatum f. albiflorum Britton;
– Epilobium variabile Lucé (1823);
– Epilobium verticillatum Ten. (1811);
– Pyrogennema angustifolium (L.) Lunell (1916).
The following subspecies are recognized within this species:
– Epilobium angustifolium subsp. circumvagum Mosquin;
– Epilobium angustifolium subsp. macrophyllum (Hausskn.) Hultén.

Etymology –
The term Epilobium derives from the Greek ἐπί (epí, “above”) and λοβός (lobòs, “lobe”), for the petals inserted above the ovary.
The specific epithet angustifolium comes from the Latin angustus, narrow, narrow and from folium leaf, lamella, with relatively narrow leaves.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Epilobium angustifolium is a plant with circumboreal and Eurasian diffusion, that is, it is present in the cold climate regions of Europe, central-northern Asia, North America, up to Greenland. It is present in all regions of Italy, and in particular in the Alps.
Its habitat is that of alpine, subalpine and mountain environments. It grows in natural pastures and in pioneer vegetation, on rocky or detrital substrates but is also present in medium-deep soils, often on siliceous soils; more frequently in mountainous areas (above 1000 m) of the northern hemisphere.
In mountain areas it is one of the most abundant plants after forest fires.

Description –
Epilobium angustifolium is a herbaceous species with an erect stem up to 1.50-2 meters high. It also has a very branched rhizome.
The leaves are lanceolate with alternate phyllotaxis, entire, strictly lanceolate.
The flowers are 2–3 cm in diameter, with four magenta to pink petals and four narrower pink sepals. The petals are 4, obovate, with entire margins, about 15 mm long, slightly reflected in the bud. The style exceeds the stamens in length. The calyx is divided into 4 lobes, linear-lanceolate in shape, with acute apex, purple in color.
The flowers are borne in inflorescence. The inflorescence is a symmetrical terminal raceme that flowers progressively from bottom to top, producing a tapered pyramidal shape.
The anthesis is in the period of July-August.
The fruit is an erect cylindrical capsule, measuring 40-80 by 4 mm, of a purplish pink colour, with the presence of compressed hairs. When ripe it opens into 4 sections curved outwards. The seeds are numerous (from 300 to 400 per capsule and around 80,000 per plant), smooth, brown in color and tapered in shape. They have a showy plume of white bristles at the top. They are very light and feathery and are spread by the wind even at considerable distances from the place of growth.

Cultivation –
Epilobium angustifolium is a plant that forms abundant populations in both natural and anthropic environments. It populates coniferous forests, beech forests, ericaceous shrublands, clearings, stream banks, screes, embankments, scrublands.
It is present in ruderal environments, on the edges of fields and roads, and colonizes deforested or burned areas with other pioneer plants.
It is an easy-to-grow plant (also for ornamental purposes), both in pots and in the ground, to be used on the edge of artificial lakes or in rock gardens. It prefers bright, sunny exposures for many hours a day and fertile, cool and moist soil. If grown in pots, it needs frequent watering and a supply of slow-release organic fertilizer at the beginning and end of the season.
The copious flowering occurs between June and September starting from the bottom and if the climate permits it is easy to grow in gardens.
This plant reproduces by seed or agamicly through rhizomes. In general it prefers humid environments and heavy, poorly draining soils capable of retaining humidity.
In addition to reproducing autonomously by seed, as in nature, it can also multiply by dividing the tufts. The seedlings that grow from seed may have slightly different characteristics from the mother plant, due to genetic variability, while the seedlings obtained through multiplication lead to the production of individuals identical to the mother plant.
The division of the rhizomes is practiced in spring, before the vegetative awakening. The cuttings should be placed in pots with a mixture of peat and sand, kept moist until new shoots appear and they are transplanted into larger pots or into the ground.

Customs and Traditions –
Epilobium angustifolium is a plant known by various common names; among these are: Narrow-leaved Fireweed, Red Stems, Greater Carnation, Narrow-leaved Camenerio, Fiore di Sant’Anna (Italian), Epilobe à feuilles étroites (French), Rosebay Willowherb (English), Schmalblattriges Weidenröschen, Wald-Weidenröschen (German).
This species has also been placed in the genus Chamaenerion (sometimes referred to as Chamerion) rather than Epilobium based on several morphological distinctions: spiral (rather than opposite or spiral) leaf arrangement; absence (rather than presence) of a hypanthium; stamens subequal (rather than stamens in two unequal whorls); stamens and stigma zygomorphic (rather than actinomorphic). According to this taxonomic arrangement, Chamaenerion and Epilobium are monophyletic sister genera.
Very young shoots and leaves can be cooked and eaten. Young flowers are also edible, and the stems of older plants can be split to extract the edible raw pith. Additionally, the leaves can be used for tea.
Traditionally the young shoots are harvested in spring by some populations such as Native Americans and Siberia and mixed with other vegetables. As the plant matures, the leaves become tough and slightly bitter. Native Americans in the American Southeast harvest the stems at this stage. They are peeled and eaten raw. If properly prepared immediately after harvest, they are a good source of vitamin C and provitamin A. The Denaʼina add willowherb to their dogs’ food. Fireweed is also a medicine of the Dena’ina of the Upper Creek, who treat boils or pus-filled cuts by placing a piece of the raw stem on the affected area. This is said to draw pus out of the cut or boil it and prevent a pus-containing cut from healing too quickly.
The root can be roasted after scraping it off the outside, but it often tastes bitter. To mitigate this problem, the root is harvested before the plant flowers and the brown thread in the center is removed. The central part of the stem can also be prepared by splitting the outer stem and eaten raw.
In Russia, a tea is prepared known as Ivan Chai or Koporsky tea (from the city of Koporye, where it has been produced since the 13th century). They also use it as a highly valued medicinal herb. The popularity of willowherb tea perhaps derives from the similarity of its production with that of common black tea (Camellia sinensis), which leads to a herbal tea rich in flavor and with an intense colour, without caffeine, and is sold commercially in a mixture with mint or thyme.
Fireweed tea is rich in iron, copper, potassium and calcium.
In the Yukon, willowherb flowers are made into jelly.
The honey produced by fireweed is highly appreciated for its quality. Most willowherb honey is produced in places with cold climates, such as the Pacific Northwest in the United States and Scandinavian countries in Europe.
In general it is, therefore, an officinal and medicinal herb, and it seems to have interesting properties for the prostate and stomach.
It is a good source of vitamin C and beta-carotene.
It is recommended in the treatment of inflammation of the prostate.
Against spasmodic cough and asthma, pharyngitis and laryngitis.
It contains ellagotannins, including enothein A and more specifically B, which have a prostatic antiadenomatous effect, inhibiting the activity of 5-alpha reductase and aromatase, two enzymes involved in the etiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Tannins also have an astringent (healing) effect.
It is indicated for benign prostatic hyperplasia and the treatment of associated urinary symptoms. Flu prevention and treatment. In topical use: dermatitis, stomatitis, pharyngitis, periodontal disease, wounds, dermal ulcerations.
From an ecological point of view it is a pioneer species that quickly colonizes open areas with little competition, such as forest fire sites and clearings. Plants grow and flower as long as there is open space and plenty of light. Fireweed reaches its average colonization peak after five years and then begins to be replaced as the trees and bushes become larger. The seeds remain viable in the soil seed bank for many years. (citation needed) When a new fire or other disturbance occurs that reopens the soil to light, the seeds germinate. Some areas with a high number of seeds in the soil can, after being burned, be covered with dense stands of this species and when it is in flower the landscape transforms into colorful fields.
The flowers of this plant are visited by a wide variety of insects. Some species of the insect order Lepidoptera frequently use this plant as a primary larval host, including Deilephila elpenor, Hyles gallii, and Hyles lineata.
It is also a honey plant and is foraged by bees; the plant is widespread and is often found in mountain honey, but it is not possible to have monofloral honey.

Preparation Method –
Epilobium angustifolium is a plant used for both food and medicinal purposes.
In the medicinal field it is used for the digestive system, the urinary system and the prostate. The roots, leaves and flowers contain various active ingredients (flavonoids, tannins, mucilages…) with astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.
The roots are harvested in spring or autumn, when the plant is dormant. They are cleaned of the earth and cut into pieces which are dried in the sun or in a dryer. They are stored in paper or canvas bags.
The flowers are harvested fresh, in July or August, at the base, without the stalk. They are left to dry in the shade, spread out on a sheet of paper, remembering to turn them often. They are stored in glass jars.
In folk medicine it is used for external use as a general astringent, to relieve irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, inflammation of hemorrhoids and light burns. It is also used to relieve intestinal irritation, such as enteritis, colitis and diarrhea (internal use). The beneficial effects of willowherb in the treatment of prostate and urinary tract disorders seem supported by recent scientific studies.
The use of this plant, like other medicinal plants, has no contraindications if prescribed and followed by competent personnel.
Fireweed is also used in cooking. In spring, the young shoots, about 20 cm high, are harvested, with the tender leaves arranged close together on the stem. They are eaten boiled and seasoned with oil and vinegar, possibly with the addition of a finely chopped onion and a hard-boiled egg, or sautéed in a pan with butter and with the addition of a sprinkling of grated cheese or a fried egg. ox.
The dried flowers, leaves and buds were used as tea or herbal tea. In this regard, it is said that the Swiss botanist Henry Correvon often used willowherb in the preparation of tea substitute drinks, since, based on his observations and knowledge, the flowers of this plant, during drying, become enriched of a particular fragrance and sugary substances soluble in hot water.
The bristles present at the top of the seeds were used in the production of wicks.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora d’Italia, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.

Photo source:
– https://bs.plantnet.org/image/o/01583294a467d3c21211cfdcaaf07d76f8a552e7

Attention: Pharmaceutical applications and food uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not represent in any way a medical prescription; we therefore decline any responsibility for their use for healing, aesthetic or food purposes.