Rank Species | Genus Epilobium Higher classification Willowherbs | |
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Similar Willowherbs, Epilobium clavatum, Epilobium glaberrimum, Epilobium oreganum, Epilobium densiflorum | ||
Epilobium minutum top 6 facts
Epilobium minutum is a species of willowherb known by the common names little willowherb, chaparral willowherb and desert willowherb. It is also called "smallflower willowherb" in reference to its small size relatively. However that name, in particular the British English variant "small-flowered willowherb", typically refers to Epilobium parviflorum.
Contents
This annual wildflower is native to western North America from British Columbia and Alberta to California and Arizona. This is a plant of fields and meadows, including vernal pools, and it is one of the first flowers to spring up in areas recently cleared by wildfire.
Description
Epilobium minutum is a small, spindly plant with thin, branching stems approaching a maximum of 40 centimeters in height. The sparse leaves are oval-shaped and one or two centimeters long. The stems are topped with few tiny white to light purple flowers with notched petals each a few millimeters long. The fruit is a capsule one or two centimeters in length. It is a much smaller plant than most members of the genus, referenced by both the specific name minutum as well as some of its common names.
