Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) Chamerion angustifolium,

Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)

Chamerion angustifolium, commonly known as Fireweed (mainly in North America), Great Willow-herb (some parts of Canada),or Rosebay Willowherb (mainly in Britain), is a perennial herbaceous plant in the willowherb family Onagraceae. It is native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, including large parts of the boreal forests.

            

The floral emblem of the Yukon  grows 2-7 feet high; the flowers vary in colour from white, which is rare, to magenta; the brilliant petals glow translucently; in the Yukon’s short summer sunshine. This hardy late blooming flower, which stays long after most of the other Yukon wild flowers are gone

            The plants should be picked in the shoot stage, or when they are less than six inches high. They can be eaten raw, cut up and added to salad, or they can be cooked as greens. The leaves are rich in vitamins C and A. There is also a Dwarf Fireweed (Epilodium latifolium)

Fireweed Spinach-

          1. Pick fireweed before it goes to bud, or when its 2-6 inches high.

2. Steam in a pot with the lid on, over a few drops of water. Cook like spinach, testing with a fork to see that it's done.

3. Sprinkle with butter or oil, lemon juice or vinegar, salt and pepper, to taste.
©Al (Alex-Alexander) D. Girvan) All rights reserved.