Epilobium Brunnescens, New Zealand Willowherb





Epilobium brunnescens is easily recognised since it is a prostrate, mat-forming species; all other willowherbs in the UK have upright stems.

Common name:
New Zealand willowherb
Scientific name:
Epilobium brunnescens
Main flower color:
Range:
All mountainous regions of the British Isles. An introduced species
Height:
Up to 10 cm (flower stalks); stems are prostrate
Habitat:
Damp places at medium to high elevations
Flowers:
Petals are white, notched, crossed by a few greyish veins. The eight stamens have short white filaments and pale yellow anthers. The stigma is club-shaped, above a pinkish style. Sepals are narrow, their tips just visible from above in the gaps between the petals. Flowers are around 8 mm across, attached by long, slender stalks (ovaries)
Leaves:
Opposite, hairless, ovate to round, lined by a few small, blunt teeth
Season:
July to August
Rarity:
★★★★★