fireweed

noun

fire·weed | \ ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌwēd

Definition of fireweed

: any of several plants that grow especially in clearings or burned districts: such as

a : a weedy annual composite (Erechtites hieraciifolia synonym E. hieraciifolius) of eastern North America having flower heads of whitish tubular disk flowers enveloped by green bracts

b : a tall perennial (Epilobium angustifolium) of the evening-primrose family that has long spikes of pinkish-purple flowers and is an important honey plant in some areas

— called also willow herb

Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about fireweed

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Did You Know?

This is a perennial wildflower of the evening primrose family. Its spikes of whitish to magenta flowers, which grow up to 5 ft (1.5 m) high, are a spectacular sight on prairies of the temperate zone. Its seeds can lie dormant for many years, awaiting the warmth necessary for germination. 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. It has limited use in wild gardens, where it must be carefully checked and confined.

Examples of fireweed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wild greens such as fiddlehead, fireweed, nettle, seaweed and sourdock are also high in fiber. — Anchorage Daily News, "Colon cancer in Alaska: Common and completely preventable," 3 Sep. 2019 Fast-growing fireweed and other flowers cover recent burn scars. — Nancy Fresco, The Conversation, "Huge wildfires in the Arctic and far North send a planetary warning," 14 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fireweed.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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fireweed

Definition of fireweed

Did You Know?

Examples of fireweed in a Sentence

First Known Use of fireweed

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