Fireweed
The North Americans call this red-pink flower fireweed, though we in the UK will know it as rosebay willow herb. Fireweed is one of the first plants to appear after a forest or brush fire; it also rapidly covers scrub or woodland areas that have been cleared by machine. In England the plant became locally known as bombweed due to its rapid colonization of bomb craters in the second world war.
Native American people make good use of this plant for it offers something useful in every stage of its growth. Early shoots can be eaten raw or lightly cooked. Young leaves can be pinched off and eaten like spinach. Leaves can be harvested for tea. Fireweed shoots are a nutritious spring food containing Vitamin C, flavonoids and beta-carotene. They can be eaten fresh or lightly cooked. Northwest Native People from Alaska all the way down the West Coast use fireweed for food and medicine. In Alaska, candies, syrups, jellies, and even ice cream are made from fireweed. Monofloral honey made primarily from fireweed nectar has a distinctive, spiced flavour.
Fireweed is the floral emblem of Yukon. Rosebay Willow herb was voted the County flower of London in 2002 following a poll by the wild plant conservation charity Plantlife.
Fireweed
The North Americans call this red-pink flower fireweed, though we in the UK will know it as rosebay willow herb. Fireweed is one of the first plants to appear after a forest or brush fire; it also rapidly covers scrub or woodland areas that have been cleared by machine. In England the plant became locally known as bombweed due to its rapid colonization of bomb craters in the second world war.
Native American people make good use of this plant for it offers something useful in every stage of its growth. Early shoots can be eaten raw or lightly cooked. Young leaves can be pinched off and eaten like spinach. Leaves can be harvested for tea. Fireweed shoots are a nutritious spring food containing Vitamin C, flavonoids and beta-carotene. They can be eaten fresh or lightly cooked. Northwest Native People from Alaska all the way down the West Coast use fireweed for food and medicine. In Alaska, candies, syrups, jellies, and even ice cream are made from fireweed. Monofloral honey made primarily from fireweed nectar has a distinctive, spiced flavour.
Fireweed is the floral emblem of Yukon. Rosebay Willow herb was voted the County flower of London in 2002 following a poll by the wild plant conservation charity Plantlife.