About the Hairy Willow Herb

The hairy willow herb (Epilobium hirsutum) is a 0.8 to 1.8 m high, common perennial plant of the primrose family (Onagraceae).

The softly hairy stem bears 6-12 cm long, oblong leaves. The leaves are usually opposite, while the middle leaf is often amplexicaul. The leaves are softly hairy.

The flowers have a diameter of 1.5-2.5 cm, five broken ringed, red rose petals and a vierspletige stamp. The plant blooms from June to September.

The plant is in Belgium and the Netherlands generally in damp places, along ditches and in not too heavy soil. A depth of 10 cm in water for some time is no objection, but the plant can not use wet feet long and also need lots of light. Under these circumstances the plant forms dense groves.

Possibly under the influence of climate change is expanding the plant to the north. Thus in 1980 the plant in the Scottish island of Skye where not taken while the plant since the year 2004 more frequently.

The hairy willow-herb is the host to include the bug Dicyphus epilobii (family Miridae) that are monophagous on the plant alive, and various butterflies, including divers from the genus Mompha (family Cosmopterigidae) Scythris inspersella (fam Scythrididae) and Deilephila elpenor ( fam Sphingidae).



Source: http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harig_wilgeroosje

See also: International Flower Delivery, Florist