Fireweed should be familiar to most Canadians, as it can be found across the country. It gets its name from being able to grow rapidly in areas burned by fire or even more extreme events. It was one of the first plants to appear after Mt. St. Helens eruption in 1980. After a fire, the plant will grow and flower as long as there’s open space with lots of light. Reaching its peak in about five years, as the area gets replaced by trees and brush. The seeds will stay in the soil for many years, if a new fire goes through the area, the seeds germinate, and the landscape once again covered by fireweed. This tough perennial can grow up to 2 meters high with beautiful 50 or more flowers per plant.
With a single fireweed plants ability to produce up to 80, 000 seeds, quick to establish a root system and its ability to recycle the nutrients left in the soil. It’s a great plant for re-establishing on disturbed land after fire, logging, or other causes to prevent erosion. It helps to prevent additional damage to the land by blanketing the land for the recovering fauna and flora.
The plant is a great source of vitamin C and pro-vitamin A. The leaves can be used for tea, the flowers to make jelly. As a photographic subject. It provides great opportunities when a large field or part of a mountain is covered or to get close-ups of the flowers in the summer and to capture the fall colours of the leaves during autumn.
