jepening primrose family. 



Great Willow Herb. Epihbium angustifolium. 



Fire-weed. 



Found by the wayside, and on newly cleared or burned lands, 

 blossoming from June through August. 



It has a simple, tall, and swaying stalk, from 3 to 6 feet high ; 

 it is round, and smooth, of a fine fibre, and inclined to red in color. 



The long, narrow leaf has a general resemblance to that of the 

 willow ; it is smooth, firm, and fine in texture, and of a cool dark 

 grayish-green color, and silvery beneath, with a light midrib. The 

 leaves are alternate on the stalk, without foot-stems. 



The 4 rounded petals of the flower curve into a short foot, or claw, 

 at the base ; they are of a fine and delicate texture, and a bright, clear 

 crimson-pink color ; the 4 long, pointed divisions of the red-brown calyx 

 alternate with the pink petals ; the pistil is 4-parted and curled spirally 

 at the tip ; the stamens 8. The flowers are poised on the top of the 

 slender, silky, violet-tinged pods, and arranged in a loose, long, and 

 curving spike, on the top of the stalk. 



The plant gains its name of " Fire- weed " from its habit of springing 

 up on newly burned woodlands. Seen in the sunshine its coloring is 

 brilliant. Its long curving slender pods, bursting open lengthwise, set 

 free a mass of fine silky down, the wings of the tiny seeds. 



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