Hey! This flower was from a recent trip to Manning Park. It was growing next to Lightning lake. The plant was between 2 and 3 feet tall and had a few purple flowers on the top. What struck me was the "tassels" - curly bits of plant matter. I believe I've seen this plant on the shore of Garibaldi lake before. Any suggestions? Thanks! John
Good Call. Plants of Coast BC has a good photo of Epilobium ciliatum (fringed willowherb) and the usda site has good photos of what looks like the seed pods: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=EPCI Thanks! John
I found a photo of E. glaberrimum that looks pretty close too, but it it is a pretty variable species.
I considered that one as well (PoCBC notes the variability of species in this area) but the leaves in the photos on the usda site (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=EPGL) don't match mine - E. glaberrimum appears to be flatter and waxier. Just my humble (uneducated) opinion though. John
Fireweeds of this type are common garden pests here, you should have no trouble finding plenty of material to study.
...though some of the subalpine ones are not garden pests, so identifying this to species requires more than comparisons to what you'll find at lower elevations.
Aforementioned handbook has a Key to the Willowherbs (Epilobium) at the beginning of the Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family) section. You will have to use keys and descriptions to nail this one. It seems to me small-flowered species like one shown in first post are not characteristic of true subalpine areas. Consistent with this Pojar/Mackinnon describe both E. minutum and E. ciliatum as occurring "to middle elevations."
