Erechtites hieraciifolius (Linnaeus) Rafinesque ex A.P. de Candolle. Common name: Fireweed, American Burnweed. Phenology: Late Jul-Nov. Habitat: In disturbed soil in nearly all habitats except the extremely xeric, present in most parts of the modern (beat-up) landscape at least as seedlings, liable to turn up at the smallest disturbance (such as small tree-fall tip-up mounds or campfires, even in large natural areas), most abundant in areas extensively disturbed or scarified by timber-harvest, bulldozing, or severe fire. Distribution: NL (Newfoundland) west to SK, south to s. FL and e. TX; West Indies; tropical America.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Other Comments: Perhaps the only other species in our area as adept at appearing (seemingly from nowhere) at small soil disturbances in forests are Phytolacca americana and the moss Atrichum angustatum (Bridel) Bruch & Schimper.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Fl7, Mex, Mi, Tn, Va; = Erechtites hieracifolia var. hieracifolia — Bah, C, G, SE1; = Erechtites hieraciifolia (L.) Raf. var. hieraciifolia — Pa; = Erechtites hieraciifolius (L.) Raf. ex DC. var. hieraciifolius — Ar, FNA20, K4, NE, NY; < Erechtites hieracifolia — GrPl, GW2, Oh3, RAB, S, W, WV; > Erechtites hieracifolia var. hieracifolia — F, Il, Tat; > Erechtites hieracifolia var. intermedia Fernald — F, Il, Tat; > Erechtites hieracifolia var. praealta (Raf.) Fernald — F, Il; < Erechtites hieraciifolia (L.) Raf. — NcTx; < Erechtites hieraciifolius (L.) Raf. ex DC. — WH3; < Senecio hieraciifolius L. var. hieracifolius; Senecio hieraciifolius Linnaeus. Basionym: Senecio hieraciifolius L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Erechtites hieraciifolius var. hieraciifolius - FNA20
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (name change)
- Great Plains: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Midwest: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
Heliophily ⓘ: 6
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© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Lowell Urbatsch | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect annual found in disturbed soil in nearly all habitats except extremely dry ones.
Stems: Stems grooved-striate, unbranched, smooth or hairy.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, upper leaves clasping and lower subsessile, lance-shaped to oblong, to 8 in. long, sharply toothed or irregularly lobed, hairy or smooth.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in clusters at ends of upper-axillary stalks and terminating stem, about 1/4 in. wide (1/3 in. tall), cylindrical with a swollen base, consisting of numerous, densely crowded, tiny, white or dull yellow disk florets. A tube composed of erect, narrow, green bracts surrounds the head, nearly concealing the florets.
Fruits: Fruit a brown seed with a tuft of bright white hairs.
Comments: Present in most parts of the modern landscape, at least as seedlings, and liable to turn up at the smallest disturbance. E. megalocarpus, with larger heads and achenes, is found in northern parts of our area, in brackish and saltwater marshes of NJ, and may occur farther south as well.
Height: to 8 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect annual found in disturbed soil in nearly all habitats except extremely dry ones.
stems: Stems grooved-striate, unbranched, smooth or hairy.
leaves: Leaves alternate, upper leaves clasping and lower subsessile, lance-shaped to oblong, to 8 in. long, sharply toothed or irregularly lobed, hairy or smooth.
inflorescence:
flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in clusters at ends of upper-axillary stalks and terminating stem, about 1/4 in. wide (1/3 in. tall), cylindrical with a swollen base, consisting of numerous, densely crowded, tiny, white or dull yellow disk florets. A tube composed of erect, narrow, green bracts surrounds the head, nearly concealing the florets.
fruits: Fruit a brown seed with a tuft of bright white hairs.
comments: Present in most parts of the modern landscape, at least as seedlings, and liable to turn up at the smallest disturbance. E. megalocarpus, with larger heads and achenes, is found in northern parts of our area, in brackish and saltwater marshes of NJ, and may occur farther south as well.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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