Epilobium hornemannii, July 26, 2022
E. hornemannii, Linkins Lake trail, 11,500’, July 19, 2022
Common & scientific name
Hornemann’s willowherb, Epilobium hornemannii
Family
Evening primrose, Onagraceae
Location
Upper Lost Man trailhead, 11,500’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
Willowherbs are notoriously difficult to identify, as they often interbreed, are individually variable, and just plain look alike. According to Bill Weber, one way to be certain that this plant is indeed this species, hornemanni, is by uprooting it and checking for turions, little fleshy bulbs attached to the base of the stem. Hornemann’s doesn’t have them. I have only done this once (sacrificed willowherbs for ID purposes), and won’t again. Furthermore, other authorities claim they don’t have turions. Ergo, narrowing it down to “willowherb” is close enough!
E. hornemannii in fruit, Linkins Lake Trail, 11,500’, July 19, 2022