224 Pink to Red Flowers 



The name Epilobium signifies " upon a pod," and prob- 

 ably refers to the fact that the flowers grow on the ends of 

 the long pods. Willow-herb refers to the fact that the 

 leaves resemble those of the Willow. 



Wild Fire, or Fire Weed, is another common name for 

 this plant, and a very appropriate one, too, for it is mar- 

 vellous how quickly these stately, handsome flowers will 

 cover over and beautify those tracts of country that have 

 been charred and desolated by forest fires. 



" Strange flower, thy purple making haste 

 To glorify each blackened waste 



Of fire-swept land 

 Is with a blessed meaning fraught, 

 And we when pain hath fully wrought 

 Shall understand." 



Epilobium latifolium, or Water Willow-herb, is a very 

 handsome species which grows in wet places and marshes, 

 or near water. It may always be recognized by its large 

 bright magenta flowers and the glaucous appearance of the 

 stems and leaves, that is to say, by the whitish bloom 

 which covers them. The leaves are also thick and very 

 soft, entire, sessile and narrow. 



Epilobium anagallidifolium, or Mountain Willow-herb, 

 is a tiny dwarf plant, from two to six inches high, growing 

 on lofty summits. It has small magenta or sometimes white 

 flowers, which nod at the top of the slender single stems, 

 up which a few pairs of little oblong leaves grow. It has 

 been found at the immense altitude of 10,000 feet. 



Epilobium Hornemanni, or Hornemann's Willow-herb, 

 is a common species which grows about eight inches high, 

 bears small purplish-pink or white flowers that are strongly 

 veined, and has very long slender capsules, or seed vessels, 



