A Flush Flash of Fireweed

This beautiful species (epilobium angustifolium) often exists in large colonies in areas of land where burns have occurred, hence the name fireweed. These light pinkish-purple flowers have four large petals and are clustered from the mid-section to the top where the flowers are closed tightly and drooping. Also known as Great Willowherb, this plant has a variety of medicinal and edible uses.
This past Friday on the way to my parents camp in Onchiota, I stopped my Subaru Outback on the side of the Club's private dirt road. I saw to my left a small field of bright magenta floating amongst the tall pale green grasses and the sweet smell of late-Summer flowers was dense in the air. Dave Matthews Band played in the background as I pulled my tripod out of the trunk and screwed on my Kodak Z980. While humming "Why I am" the bees swarming all around in their florescent buffet seemed to add a distinctive bass-line that I'd yet to hear in the song, but enjoyed it thoroughly nonetheless.
The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked especially in cakes and Stir-Fries. Late season are more bitter and tougher, early to mid season leaves are best and should only be eaten in moderation as nausea can take effect. A syrup was originally extracted from the flowers and stems, and nowadays the flowers are used in the making of Fireweed Jam.
Medicinal uses include oral use of the plant extracts often in the form of an infusion or tea, to treat prostate problems as well as diarrhea. It's also used topically to heal minor burns, rashes, ulcers, and other skin afflictions.
This native 2-5 foot plant usually flowers between June and September and can easily be found in the mountains of the Adirondacks.