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Fire Weed
Chamerion angustifolium

Fireweed has red stems and unique magenta blooms. It prefers sunny sites and relatively moist soil conditions. It does spread aggressively but requires little care once established.

USDA symbol: CHAN9

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height4 to 6 feet
Light ExposureSun, Part Sun
Soil MoistureDry, Medium
Bloom ColorPink
Fire Weed (Fire Weed<div><em class="small">Chamerion angustifolium</em></div>)
Photo credit: Minnesota Native Landscapes (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceModerate
General Resilience6
Salt ToleranceUnknown
Stress ToleranceGeneral Disturbance

Pollinator Value: High

Bloom MonthsJuly to August
Larval Host ofBees, Moths
Specific Pollinators HostedAlypia langtoni, Hyles gallii, Lasioglossum lusorium, Proserpinus flavofasciata
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeBoulevard, Rain Garden
Coefficient of Conservatism3
Herbivore SensitivityMedium
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadFast
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clearwater, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Goodhue, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Winona
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands