New plant ID: Epilobium Tetragonum
Today my eye was caught by a cute and small pink flower I had never seen.
It was easy to identify it with the PictureThis app and it turned out to be Epilobium Tetragonum or Square-stemmed Willowherb.
While checking more photos of the plant online, I was surprised to see that this was a plant that i had been wrongly identifying for years, only i had seen it in earlier stages when it was greener:
Belongs to the Onagraceae family. Its stems are a bit square shaped, hence the name. The leaves are narrow and it displays clusters of pink or white flowers that bloom in the summer.
Yeah, its not 100% square but also not cylindrical like most plants.
Some info on the plant I condensed from wildflowerweb.co.uk
A hardy and adaptable plant that can grow in a variety of habitats, including meadows, wetland margins, and disturbed areas.
Prefers moist soils as everywhere I've seen it is near a concentration of water.
Well-known for its ability to colonize areas that have been disturbed by human activity, such as road and railway verges
Flowers are an important source of nectar for many pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making the plant an important part of the local ecosystem.
Has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including skin irritations, wounds, and digestive problems. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties have been documented in traditional medicine, and it has been used as a natural remedy for centuries.
Its hardiness and ability to thrive in disturbed areas make it a valuable species for conservation and ecological restoration efforts.
The plant's ability to grow in disturbed areas can help to provide habitat and food for wildlife, helping to restore the balance of the local ecosystem.
Those who knows me also know that i love fostering biodiversity so I'm very glad to identify a new plant. And curious thing, there's one growing right outside my house!
Makes sense that its called "willowflower" as it does rather look like new willow shoots and I had thought many times that it was just that.
The plant is said to be edible and i have tried it quite a few times. It doesn't have much taste, but in the foraging world that can be a positive thing as many herbs tend to have strong tastes that can make you think twice before eating them. I've only tried small doses so i can't say how safe it is and i recommend you do your own research before trying it. The texture is very pleasant though and it feels good to munch on.
So, new plant in the dictionary... Cool, huh? If you ever see this one growing be sure to leave it for the pollinators to enjoy the nectar on it's flowers, remember that without pollinators there would be no life as we know it.
Did you know this plant? Have any other info to add to the post? Read you in the comments!
As always, thanks for your time and attention ✨