Introduction of Epilobium Herb:willow herb or blooming sally.
✵The article gives records of the herb Epilobium Herb, its English name, Latin name, common names, property and flavor, its botanical source five plant species, ①.Epilobium hirsutum L., ②.Epilobium parviflorum Schreber., ③.Epilobium wallichianum Hausskn., ④.Epilobium angustifolium L., ⑤.Epilobium palustre L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these five plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these five plant species, the features of the herb Epilobium Herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Epilobium Herb(willow herb).
English Name: Epilobium Herb.
Latin Name: Epilobium spp.
Common Names: willow herb, blooming sally, blood vine, water clove, hoary willow herb, thin-leaf willow herb, rosebay willowherb, marsh willow herb, etc.
Property and flavor: cool or cold in nature, tastes bitter, or pungent, or pungent and slight bitter.
Brief introduction: Epilobium herb is the above-ground parts or roots of the Epilobium varieties, the plant is found all over America, Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Tasmania, etc. As its leaves are similar to willow leaves, so it is commonly known as willow herb.
Botanical source: Common herbal classics defined the herb Epilobium Herb as the flowers and other parts of the species (1).Epilobium hirsutum L., (2).Epilobium parviflorum Schreber., (3).Epilobium wallichianum Hausskn.,(4).Epilobium angustifolium L., (5).Epilobium palustre L., and other species. They are plant species of the Epilobium genus, the Onagraceae family (evening primrose family). The flowers, above-ground parts, or roots are used medicinally. These commonly used species and other common species are introduced:
Epilobium sect.
Introduction: Epilobium sect is a section in the Epilobium genus of the Onagraceae family (evening primrose family), perennial herbs, upright, ascending, or prostrate. Stems are cylindrical or quadrangular. Leaves are opposite (occasionally whorled) at least below inflorescence and alternate sparsely spirally (E. sinense H. Lev.). Flowers are actinomorphic, parallel to the stem axis when blooming; flower tube exists; petal apex is concave to deeply 2-lobed; stamens vary in length in 2 whorls, pollen grains are yellow, pollinated by quadruple pollen; style is always upright; stigma is usually entire-edge, stick-shaped to capitate, as long as or higher than stamens, sometimes 4-lobed and higher than stamens.
Introduction: Chamaenerion Sect: Chamaenerion Tausch is a section in the Epilobium genus of the Onagraceae family (evening primrose family), perennial herbs or subshrubs, upright, often clumps. Stems are terete. Leaves are spiral alternate, sparsely subopposite, or whorled. The flower is slightly bilaterally symmetrical, the lower pair of petals is slightly narrower than the upper one, and is perpendicular to the stem axis when blooming; the flower tube is absent; the petals are entire-edge; Stamens are nearly equal in length, arranged in a whorl, pollen grains are blue to yellow, single pollen pollinates; style reflexes when flowering; stigma is deeply 4-lobed, somewhat higher than stamens, lobes open and unfold 2-3 days after flowering, and roll back when style becomes upright and withered.
Botanical description: The Epilobium hirsutum L., is a plant of the Epilobium L. genus, Onagraceae family (evening primrose family), it is commonly known as "Epilobium hirsutum L.", Willow herb, Water Clove, Water Orchid, etc.
Epilobium hirsutum is a perennial stout herbaceous plant, sometimes lignified near the base, often lying down from the root neck in autumn to produce stout underground crawling branches with a length of more than 1 meter, sparse scaly leaves on the stems, and rosette-shaped leaf buds at the apex. The stems are 25~120 cm high and 3~12 mm thick, often branched in the middle and upper parts, and are densely spread villous around, often mixed with short and straight glandular hairs, especially on inflorescences, which are sparsely covered with white woolly hairs. Leaves are herbaceous, opposite, alternate in the upper part of the stem, sessile, and somewhat stalked; Stem leaves are lanceolate-elliptic to narrowly obovate or elliptic, sparsely lanceolate, 4~20 cm long, and 0.3~5 cm wide. The apex is tapering to acuminate, the base is nearly wedge-shaped, the margin has 20~50 serrations on each side, both surfaces are villous, sometimes short glandular hairs are mixed on the back surface, and the back is sparsely densely woolly or nearly glabrous. The lateral veins are often inconspicuous, with 7~9 hairs on each side. Racemes are upright; Bracts are leaflike.
Flowers are upright with oval buds, 4.5~9 mm long and 2.5-5 mm in diameter; Ovary is grayish green to purple, 2~5 cm long, densely covered with villous and short glandular hairs, sometimes mainly glandular hairs, or sparsely woolly hairs without glandular hairs; Pedicel is 0.3~1.5 cm long; The floral tube is 1.3~2 mm in length and 2~3 mm in diameter, with a circle of long white hairs at the throat; Sepals are oblong and linear, 6~12 mm long and 1~2 mm wide, and their backs are raised into carinate, with hairs like those hairs on the ovary; Petals are usually rose-red, or pink to purplish red, wide and inverted heart-shaped, 9~20 mm long, 7~15 mm wide, a concave is on the apex, 1~2 mm deep; The anthers are milky yellow, oblong, 1.5~2.5 mm long and 0.6~1 mm wide; The length of the outer filament wheel is 5~10 mm, and the length of the inner filament wheel is 3~6 mm; Style is upright, 5~12 mm long, white or pink, glabrous, sparsely villous; Stigma is white, 4-parted, lobes are oblong, 2~3.5 mm long, upright at first, gamophyllous, spreading during blooming, soon bent down, glabrous or sparsely hairy outside, slightly longer than stamens.
The capsularfruit is 2.5~9 cm long, with the same hairs as hairs on the ovary; The fruit stalk is 0.5~2 cm long. The seeds are inverted egg-shaped, 0.8~1.2 mm long, 0.35~0.6 mm in diameter, with a short beak at the top, dark brown, and rough papillae on the surface; The tassel is 7~10 mm long, yellow-brown or off-white, and easy to fall off. Its flowering period is from June to August and fruiting from July to September.
Ecological environment: Epilobium hirsutum widely spreads in Eurasia continent and temperate Africa, east to northeast Asia, and the Far East, Siberia and Himalayas, west to Asia Minor, Scandinavia, and northern Africa, it grows wildly and is cultivated in North America, in China it grows in temperate and tropical regions, grows at the area with an altitude of 150~2,000 meters in the north of the Yellow River Basin, and in the southwest at the area with an altitude of 180~2,800 meters in valleys, sand or gravel fields in stream beds, sunny and wet places along ditches and lakeside, and also in shrubs, barren slopes and roadsides, the plant often grows in patches.
Growth characteristics: This species widely spreads in temperate regions of the Eurasia continent, and the plant size, leaf shape, flower size, and hairs vary greatly in different habitats. The stem, leaf, inflorescence of this species from Xinjiang to Central Asia are densely covered with gray woolly hairs, almost without glandular hairs, while the trichomes of this species from the southwest are often dominated by glandular hairs, which is different from other regions.
Common Uses: Young leaves of Epilobium hirsutum can be used as a salad or cold dishes, the whole herb can be used as medicine, which can relieve inflammation, relieve pain, expel wind and dampness, treat the traumatic injury, promote blood circulation, stop bleeding, and promote granulation.
(2).Epilobium parviflorum Schreber.
Botanical description: Epilobium parviflorum Schreber is commonly known as small flower willow herb, hoary willow herb, etc. Epilobium parviflorum Schreber is a perennial stout herbaceous plant, it is upright, rosette-shaped leaf buds that grow from the base of the stem in autumn. Stems are 18~100 cm long, 3~10 mm thick, often branched at the upper part, mixed with long villous hairs and short glandular hairs at the periphery, gray villous hairs stretched at the lower part, and the downward ridge of the petiole is more or less obvious. Leaves are opposite, alternate at the upper part of the stem, narrowly lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 3~12 cm long and 0.5~2.5 cm wide, the apex is tapering, the base is round, there are 15~60 unequal fine teeth on each side of the margin, both sides are villous, 4~8 lateral veins on each side; Petiole is nearly absent or 1~3 mm long.
Racemes are upright, often branched; Bracts are leaflike. The flowers are upright, the buds are oblong and obovoid, 3~5 mm long and 2~3 mm in diameter; Ovary is 1~4 cm long, densely covered with upright short glandular hairs, sometimes mixed with a few villous hairs; Pedicel is 0.3~1 cm long; The length of the floral tube is 1~1.9 mm, the diameter is 1.3~2.5 mm, and there is a circle of long hair at the throat part; Sepals are narrowly lanceolate, 2.5~6 mm long, with carinate ridges on the back, covered with glandular hairs and villous hairs; Petals are pink to fresh rose-purple, pale white, wide obovate, 4~8.5 mm long, 3~4.5 mm wide, and 1~3.5 mm deep at the apex; Stamens are oblong, 0.5~1.3 mm long, 0.35~0.6 mm in diameter, the outer filament wheel is 2.6~6 mm long, the inner filament wheel is 1.2~3.5 mm long; Style is upright and 2.6-6 mm long, white to pink, glabrous; Stigma is deeply 4-parted, lobes are oblong, 1~1.8 mm long, upright at first, bent back later, nearly as long as stamens.
The capsularfruit is 3~7 cm long, with the same coating hairs as hairs on the ovary; The fruit stalk is 0.5~1.8 cm long. The seeds are inverted ovoid, 0.8~1.1 mm long, 0.4~0.5 mm in diameter, round at the top, with a very inconspicuous beak, brown, and rough papillae on the surface; The tassel is 5~9 mm long, dark gray or off-white, and easy to fall off. Its flowering period is from June to September and fruiting from July to October.
This species is similar to Epilobium hirsutum, the difference is: that the leaves are somewhat short-stalked, and the base does not hold the stem; Flowers are smaller, petals are 5~8 mm long; The pistil is as long as the outer stamens, and the overwintering rosette buds have no crawling branches.
Ecological environment: Epilobium parviflorum grows on hillsides, watersides, or roadsides at the area with an altitude of 800~2000 meters. Epilobium parviflorum spreads in Asia, Europe, and other places. In China, it grows in the northwest, north area, and the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River. In Asia, it spread as from China to Western Asia, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Nepal, Pakistan. In Europe, it spread as to Northern Europe: Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, Middle Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, East Europe: Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Southeastern Europe: Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Malta, Romania, Yugoslavia. Southwestern Europe: France, Portugal, Spain. In Africa, it spread to Macaronesia: Azores, Madeira Islands, Canary Islands, Northern Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia.
(3).Epilobium wallichianum Hausskn.
Botanical description: The Epilobium wallichianum Hausskn., is a plant of the Epilobium L. genus, Onagraceae family (evening primrose family), it is commonly known as big flower willow herb, thin-leaf willow herb, etc. Its synonyms are Epilobium mairei, Epilobium tanguticum, Epilobium sykesii, Epilobium duclouxii, Epilobium souliei, Epilobium wallichianum subsp. souliei, etc.
Epilobium wallichianum Hausskn is a perennial upright herbaceous plant, often clustered, produces fleshy scaly roots from the ground at the base of the stem, and brown scaly leaves persist at the base of the stem the following year. The stem is 10~70 cm high, 1.5~4 mm thick, often branched, or sparsely unbranched, the upper part is villous around, the lower part is glabrous, and only villous on the ridge line. Leaves are opposite, alternate on inflorescence, ovate, wide lanceolate on the upper part of the stem, sometimes obovate on the lower part of the stem, 2~7 cm long and 1.2~2.6 cm wide, the apex is nearly acuminate or tapered, rounded base, 15~20 sharp teeth on each side of the edge, 4~5 lateral veins on each side, and villous only on the veins and the edge; Petiole is 2~8 mm long at the lower part, absent at upper part.
Inflorescence is pendulous to suberect. Flowers are nearly upright; Buds are ovoid, 4~7 mm long; Ovary is 1.8~2.1 cm long, mixed with villous and glandular hairs; The flower stalk is 1~3 mm long; The length of the floral tube is 1~1.5 mm, the diameter is 1.8~3 mm, and the throat has a ring of white hairs; Sepals are nearly lanceolate, 4~7.5 mm long, 1~1.8 mm wide, covered with villous and glandular-hairy; Petals are fresh rose-purple, wide obovate to reversed cardioid, 7~16 mm long, 4~9 mm wide and the concave at the apex is 1.5~3 mm deep; Anthers are 0.8~1.1 mm long and 0.4~0.5 mm in diameter; The length of the outer filament wheel is 4.5~6.6 mm, and the length of the inner filament wheel is 0.3~5 mm; Style is upright, 4~9.5 mm long; Stigma is nearly capitate, 1.9~2.5 mm long and 1.6~3 mm in diameter. When flowering, it surrounds the outer anther or protrudes from the anther.
The capsularfruit is 3.5~7.5 cm, diameter is 1~1.5 mm, and sparsely villous; The fruit stalk is 1~10 mm long. Seeds are narrowly obovate or oblong obovate, 1.2~1.5 mm long, 0.44~0.6 mm in diameter, short beak at the top, brown and papillose on the surface; The coma is white, 7~8 mm long, and easy to fall off. Its flowering period is from July to September and fruiting from August to October.
Ecological environment: Epilobium wallichianum Hausskn grows in wet places of gravel in valleys and gullies in mountainous areas, forests, shrubs, bamboo bushes, or wetlands along ditches, with an altitude of 1,800-3,000 meters. The plant grows in the Tianshan area of Kyrgyzstan, western Tianshan of Xinjiang, northwest, and southwest China, along the Himalayas, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sikkim, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan in the western Himalayas. The above-ground parts are harvested in summer and autumn, drying in the sun or fresh use.
(4).Epilobium kermodei Raven.
Botanical description: Epilobium kermodei Raven is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, its full name is Epilobium kermodei P.H. Raven, and it is commonly known as Sawtooth-leaf willow herb.
Epilobium kermodei Raven is a perennial herb, with root suckers of more than 10 cm long on the ground at the base of the stem, and terminal fleshy overwintering buds; Stems grow as high as 1.2~2 meters, glandular hairs and mixed villous hairs, with inconspicuous ridge lines; Leaves are opposite, narrowly ovate or lanceolate, 3.5~11 cm long and 1.5~4.5 cm wide, the apex is sharp, the base is broadly cuneate or nearly round, with 28~60 pairs of sharp serrations, 5~6 pairs of lateral veins, densely villous on both veins; Petiole is 1~6 mm long.
The inflorescence is upright, initially nearly corymbose, then elongated, often densely glandular-hairy; The capsular fruit is 7~11 cm long, with villous and glandular hairs; The stalk length is 0.7~1.5 cm; Seeds are obovate, 0.8~1.2 mm long, with thick papillae and short beak at the top; The tassel is white, 5~6 mm long and easy to fall off; Its flowering period is from February to May or July, and fruiting from May to July or September.
Ecological environment: Epilobium kermodei Raven grows on open grassy slopes in middle and low-altitude mountainous areas, in wet places on both sides of river valleys and gullies, and beside lakes and ponds, in areas with an altitude of 1,800~3,800 meters, in China, it grows in west-south, the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze river.
(5).Epilobium palustre L.
Botanical description: Epilobium palustre is a perennial upright herbaceous plant, slender creeping branches grow from under the base of the stem, 5~50 cm long, with pairs of leaves on sparse nodes, terminal fleshy scaly buds, and the scale leaf turn brown the following year, and the stem grows from the base. The stem is 5~15 cm high, 0.5~5.5 mm thick, unbranched or branched, sometimes there are degenerated branches in the axils of the middle leaves, which are cylindrical and have no ridgelines, the periphery is covered with curly pilose, sometimes the lower part is nearly glabrous. Leaves are opposite, or alternate on inflorescence, nearly linear to narrowly lanceolate, 1.2~7 cm long, 0.3~1.9 cm wide, the apex is sharp or tapering, sometimes slightly blunt, the base is nearly round or wedge-shaped, the margin is entire or with 5-9 inconspicuous teeth on each side, 3~5 lateral veins on each side, inconspicuous, lower veins and margin are sparsely villous or nearly glabrous; Petiole is absent or sparsely, 1~3 mm long.
Inflorescences are upright or slightly pendulous before blooming, densely covered with curved pilose, and sometimes mixed with glandular hairs. Flowers are nearly upright, the bud is oval, 2~3 mm long and 1.8~2.2 mm in diameter; Ovary is 1.6~3 cm long; Densely covered with curved pilose and sparse glandular hairs; The flower stalk is 0.8~1.5 cm long; The floral tube is 1~1.2 mm long and 1.3~2 mm in diameter, and the throat part is nearly glabrous or has a ring of sparse hairs; Sepals are oblong-lanceolate, 2.5~4.5 mm long, 1~1.2 mm wide, the apex is sharp, densely covered with villous and glandular hairs; Petals are white to pink or rose-purple, reversed cardioid, 3~9 mm long, 2~3 mm wide, apex concave depth is 0.8~1 mm; Anthers are oblong, 0.4~0.6 mm long and 0.2~0.4 mm wide; The length of the outer filament wheel is 2~2.8 mm, and the length of the inner filament wheel is 1.2~1.5 mm; Style is 1.4~3.8 mm long, upright, glabrous; Stigma is clavate to nearly cylindrical, 1~1.8 mm long, 0.4~0.7 mm in diameter, slightly protruding from the outer anther when flowering.
The capsularfruit is 3~9 cm long, villous; The fruit stalk is 1~5 cm long. The seeds are prismatic to narrowly obovate, 1~2.2 mm long, 0.38~0.55 mm in diameter, with a long beak at the tip, 0.08~0.3 mm long, brown, and there are tiny papillae on the surface; The coma is gray-white or brown-yellow, 6~9 mm long, and does not fall off easily. Its flowering period is from June to August and fruiting from August to September.
Ecological environment: Epilobium palustre grows in lakes, marshes, river valleys, beside gullies, in the wet places of subalpine and alpine grasslands, at the area with an altitude of 200~2,500 meters in the north and 2,500~4,500 meters in the southwest. As the plant often grows in the marsh, so it is also known as marsh willow herb. The plant widely grows in the temperate and frigid regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It spreads near the Arctic in northern Asia, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, northern Pakistan, Kashmir, West Caucasus and Black Sea, Europe, and North America. The plant grows in western, southwest, and northeast China.
(6).Epilobium minutiflorum Hausskn.
Botanical description: Epilobium minutiflorum Hausskn is a perennial upright herbaceous plant, it is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family. The stem is 15~100 cm tall, 2~8 mm thick, multi-branched, sparsely unbranched, and its surroundings are densely villous, and its lower part is often nearly glabrous, sometimes with two inconspicuous ridges. Leaves are opposite, alternate on inflorescence, oblong-lanceolate to narrowly ovate, 2~7 cm long and 0.4~1.7 cm wide, the apex is nearly blunt or sharp, the base is cuneate or nearly round, margin with 20-41 sawteeth on each side, lateral veins with 4-7 sawteeth on each side, raised, villous on veins and margin, and other parts are glabrous; Petiole is 1~6 mm long, the upper part is proximal subsessile.
The inflorescence is slightly pendulous before flowering, covered with gray-white pilose and sparse glandular hairs. Flowers are upright; Buds are spherical to ovoid, 2~3 mm long and 1.5~2.5 mm in diameter; Ovary is 1.5~4 cm long, densely covered with gray-white pilose and sparse glandular hairs; The flower stalk is 0.4~1.5 cm long; The length of the flower tube is 0.8~1.2 mm, the diameter is 1.2~1.4 mm, and the throat has a ring of sparse long hair; Sepals are oblong-lanceolate, 2.4~4 mm long, 0.7~1.2 mm wide, slightly keel-shaped, with sharp apex; Petals are white, pale pink or rose-red, oblong, rhombic or obovate, 3~5 mm long and 1.2~2 mm wide, the concave depth of the apex is 0.5~1 mm, and the anthers are oblong and lanceolate, with a length of 0.4~0.8 mm and a diameter of 0.2~0.3 mm; The length of the outer filament wheel is 1.5~2.5 mm, and that of the inner filament wheel is 1~2 mm; Style is upright, 1.4~2.5 mm long, glabrous; Stigma is clavate, sparsely capitate, 0.7~1.5 mm long, 0.8~1.1 mm in diameter, surrounded by outer anthers when flowering.
The capsular fruit is 3~8 cm long, and is covered with sparsely curved pilose or glabrous; The fruit stalk is 0.5~2 cm long. The seeds are narrowly obovate, 0.8~1.2 mm long and 0.38~0.48 mm in diameter, with a long transparent beak at the top, the surface is brown and has fine papillae; The tassel is white, 5~7 mm long, and easy to fall off. Its flowering period is from June to August and fruiting from July to October. For its seed are thin, it is also known as the Thin-seed willow herb.
This species is easily distinguished from other species because of its curly hair cover around the stem, small flowers, and long beaks at the top of the seed. This species is widely distributed, and the shape of stem indumentum and stigma varies greatly.
Ecological environment: Epilobium minutiflorum Hausskn grows in wetlands, ditches, rivers, river beaches, lakes and ponds, hillside meadows, watersides, fields, streams, and marshes, valleys, wet places on barren slopes in the middle and low mountain areas with an altitude of 500~1800 meters.
Epilobium minutiflorum Hausskn widely spread in Central Asia to the Himalayas, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iran, Caucasus, Turkey, Asia Minor, etc. In China, it is mainly distributed in the west north, and west south areas of China.
(7).Epilobium anagallidifolium Lam.
Botanical description: Epilobium anagallidifolium Lam., a dwarf perennial herb, it is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, shoots grow from leafy roots on the ground at the base of the stem. Stems are often clustered, ascending or nearly upright, 3~22 cm high, 0.5~1 mm thick, sometimes slender and sparse, or thick and dense with leaves, nearly glabrous or ridged, with sparsely villous and glandular hairs on the edges. Leaves are opposite, alternate on inflorescence, dense in the lower part of the stem, but sparse in the upper part, spoon-shaped to oblong in the lower part of the stem, oval to lanceolate in the upper part of the stem, 0.8~2.5 cm long and 0.25~1 cm wide, blunt in the lower part of the stem at the apex, subacute in the upper part of the stem, narrow or wedge-shaped at the base, with nearly entire margin to a few distant odontoid processes, and 2~4 lateral veins on each side, not obvious, nearly glabrous or with sparse soft hairs on veins of the back surface. The petiole is 1~6 mm long or subsessile at the upper part.
The inflorescence consists of a few flowers, drooping at the beginning, then becoming nearly upright. Flowers are nearly upright; Buds are elliptic, 2~5 mm long; Ovary is often reddish, 6~20 mm long. Glabrous or sparsely villous and glandular-hairy; The flower stalk is 1~6 mm long, even 15 mm long; Flowers are 0.6~1.2 mm long and 0.8~1.8 mm in diameter, nearly glabrous; Sepals are green or reddish, lanceolate, 1.5~5 mm long, 0.6~1.5 mm wide, subglabrous to with sparse glandular hairs; Petals are pink to rose-purple, pale white, narrowly heart-shaped, 2.5~6.5 mm long, 1.6~3.5 mm wide and 0.6~1.2 mm deep concave at the apex; Anthers are nearly oblong, 0.35~0.6 mm long and 0.25~0.4 mm in diameter; The silk is milky yellow to reddish, the length of the outer wheel is 1.4~3.2 mm, and the length of the inner wheel is 0.7~2 mm; Style is upright, 1.2~2.5 mm long; Stigma is clavate, sparsely capitate, 0.9~1.5 mm long, 0.4~0.7 mm in diameter, surrounded by outer anthers when flowering.
The capsular fruit is 1.7~3.6 cm long, 0.1~0.2 cm in diameter, slender, often reddish purple, nearly glabrous or covered with sparsely short hairs; The fruit stalk is 1~3.5 cm long. The seeds are oblong, obovate, 0.7~1.4 mm long, with a short beak at the top, light brown, fine reticulation on the surface, and sparse shallow papillae; The tassel is gray, 1.5~4 mm long, and persistent. Its flowering period is from July to August and fruiting from August to September.
Ecological environment: Epilobium anagallidifolium Lam grows in the wet place of the gully gravel, ridges or ledges, shores of rivers or lakes in the mountainous area at an altitude of 1,300~1,500 meters. In China, it spreads in the Altai mountain area of Xinjiang. This species is widely spread in mountainous areas of Europe and North America, and also distributed in the Kamchatka Peninsula of Asia, and Siberia. As it mainly grows in alpine or subalpine zones, it is also known as the Alpine willow herb. The herb is also known as Pimpernel willow herb, Alpine willowweed, etc.
(8).Epilobium roseum Schreb.
Botanical description: Epilobium roseum Schreb is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, it is also known as the long petiole willow herb, pale willowherb. Epilobium roseum Schreb is a perennial herb, upright, fleshy nearly spherical overwintering scaly roots grow out at the base of the stem in autumn, scaly leaves are leathery, brown, with a residual stem at the base, wide obovate, 6~8 mm long and 4~6 mm wide, or gives birth to root sucker, thin crawling branches. The stem is 10~50 cm tall and 1.5~4.5 mm thick. The upper part is villous, and the part below the inflorescence is gradually glabrous, but 2-4 ridges extending from the petiole are still hairy. Leaves are opposite, alternate on inflorescence, elliptic to oblong, or lanceolate, 2.2~6 cm long and 0.8~1.8 cm wide, the apex is nearly obtuse, the base is wedge-shaped, the margin has 9~25 fine teeth on each side, with 4-6 lateral veins on each side, glabrous on the upper side, and villous on the lower surface and margin; The petiole is 3~10 mm long, or even 15 mm long. The inflorescence is upright, spreading, with degenerated bracts, covered with curved pilose, and sparse mixed glandular hairs.
The flowers are upright, the buds are oblong-oval to egg-shaped, the width is 3.5~4.5 mm, the diameter is 1.6~2.4 mm, covered with densely curly pilose hairs, sparse and dominant glandular hairs; The pedicel is 3~8 mm long; The length of the flower tube is 0.8~1.2 mm, the diameter is 1.6~1.8 mm, and the throat has a ring of spreading hairs; Sepals are lanceolate, 3.5~5 mm long, 1~1.2 mm wide, pilose, sometimes mixed with glandular hairs; Petals are pink or rose-colored, inverted heart-shaped, 5~8 mm long, 2.5~3.6 mm wide, 1~1.6 mm deep concave at the apex; The length of the outer filament wheel is 2.5~3.2 mm, and the length of the inner filament wheel is 1.6~2 mm; Anthers are ovoid or oblong, 0.6~1 mm long and 0.3~0.5 mm in diameter; Style is 1.5~2 mm long, glabrous; Stigma is broadly clavate to nearly capitate, 1.1~1.2 mm high, 0.7~1.0 mm in diameter, and is as long as outer stamens when flowering.
Capsular fruit is 4~6 cm, sparsely villous; The fruit stalk is 0.6~1.5 cm long. The seeds are inverted egg-shaped, 1~1.2 mm long, 0.45~5.5 mm in diameter, with a short beak at the top, brown and there are papillates on the surface; The tassel is white, 4~6.5 mm long, and easy to fall off.
According to present classifications, there is one original subspecies of Epilobium roseum Schreb, its name is Epilobium roseum Schreber subsp. roseum, and one subspecies, its name is Epilobium roseum Schreber subsp. subsessile (Boiss.) P.H. Raven.
Ecological environment: Epilobium roseum Schreb grows in wet places such as slopes, streams, and lakes of altitudes 1,850~2,200 meters. Harvesting and storage: the herb is harvested in autumn, then cleaned, fresh use, or dried in autumn. The plant mainly spreads in Central Asia and West Asia, including Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Caucasus, Iran and Turkey, and it also grows widely in almost all countries of Europe, Xinjiang of China.
Botanical description: Epilobium roseum Schreber subsp. subsessile (Boissier) Raven is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, and it is commonly known as neuroses willow herb. It is a subspecies of Epilobium roseum Schreb. Its synonyms are Epilobium smyraeum, Epilobium almaatense, Epilobium nervosum, Epilobium smyrnaeum, Epilobium roseum var. subsessile, etc.
Epilobium roseum subsp. subsessile (Boissier) Raven is a perennial herb, with ground creeping shoots or short succulent root suckers growing from the base of the stem; leaves are subsessile, oblong-lanceolate, 3.6~6 cm long, 0.9~2.5 cm wide, the apex is obtuse, the base is broadly cuneate, the upper stem is narrowly ovate to lanceolate, the apex is sharp to tapering, the base is rounded or subcordate, margin with 23~45 denticles on each side, lateral veins 5-7 on each side, dorsally raised.
Inflorescence with leaf-like bracts, sparsely pubescent; no glandular hairs; capsular fruit is 3~6 cm long, pubescent; its flowering period is from June to August, fruiting from July to September.
Ecological environment: Epilobium roseum subsp. subsessile (Boissier) Raven grows on mountain slopes, streams, and wet places by a ditch, in areas with an altitude of 1,500~2,100 meters, in China, it grows in the Tianshan and Altai Mountains of Xinjiang, the plant also grows in Southeastern Europe, Asia Minor, Caucasus Mountains, West Asia, and Central Asia.
(9).Epilobium tianschanicum Pavlov.
Botanical description: Epilobium tianschanicum Pavlov is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, it is known as the Tianshan willow herb. Epilobium tianschanicum Pavlov is a perennial tufted herbaceous plant, overwintering fleshy root suckers, or leafy rosette buds grow from the base of stems, leaves turn brown the following year and sparsely grow on rhizomes. The stem is 30~50 cm high, 3~4 mm thick, unbranched, and its base often inclines outward, turn purple or brown in autumn, and the upper part is villous around, while the lower part is nearly glabrous except the ridge line. Leaves are opposite, alternate on inflorescence, narrowly ovate or lanceolate, 3~5 cm long and 0.9~1.4 cm wide, with sharp apex, nearly round or wide wedge-shaped base, 14~25 fine-pitch teeth on each edge, 4~5 lateral veins on each side, and sparse villous hairs on both veins and edges; the petiole is 2~4 mm long. The inflorescence is slightly pendulous, covered with surrounding bent villous.
Flowers are upright, bud is oval oblong, 3.5~4.2 mm long, diameter is 1.8~2.4 mm, covered by curving villous hairs; Ovary is 1.5~2.5 cm long, densely villous; The flower stalk is 0.7~2 cm long, the flower tube is 1~1.2 mm long, the diameter is 2~2.2 mm, and the throat has a ring of long pilose; Sepals are oblong-lanceolate, 4~5.5 mm long, 1~1.2 mm wide, somewhat keel-shaped on the back, sparsely villous; petals are rose-purple, obovate, 5.5~6.5 mm long, 2.5~3 mm wide, and the apex is concave and 0.7~1 mm deep; The length of the outer filament wheel is 2.5~3.5 mm, and the length of the inner filament wheel is 1.5~2.5 mm; Stamens are oblong, 0.7~6.8 mm long and 0.4~0.5 mm in diameter; Style is upright, 3~3.8 mm long, glabrous; Stigma is clavate, sparsely capitate, 1.3~1.6 mm high, 0.8~1.1 mm in diameter, the apex is entire-edge, sparsely dentate, nearly as long as a long whorl of stamens.
Capsular fruit is 4~6 cm long, and sparsely villous; The fruit stalk is 1.5~2.9 cm long. The seeds are narrowly obovate, 1~1.3 mm long, 0.38~0.46 mm in diameter, round at the top, with a short beak, and brown, indicating a rough papilla; The tassel is gray, 6~7 mm long, and easy to fall off. Its flowering period is from July to August and fruiting from August to September.
Difference: Epilobium tianschanicum Pavlov is similar to Epilobium roseum Schreber, so it was often mistaken for the latter in the past. The main difference is that the pedicel of this species is longer, about 1.5~2.9 cm, the petiole is shorter, about 2~4 mm, and the stem and inflorescence have no glandular hairs. The fruit stalk of Epilobium roseum Schreber is 0.6~1.5 cm long, the petiole is 3~15 mm long, and the stem and inflorescence are covered with villous and glandular hairs.
Ecological environment: Epilobium tianschanicum Pavlov grows in the wet places of mountain valleys and streams with an altitude of 1,000~1,700 meters. It is an endemic species of the Tianshan Mountains, it grows in the Tianshan Mountains area of Xinjiang, China, the Tianshan Mountains area of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
(10).Epilobium amurense Hausskn.
Botanical description: Epilobium tianschanicum Pavlov is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, it is known as the Nerville willow herb. Its synonyms are Epilobium lanue, Epilobium tetragonum, Epilobium miyabe, Epilobium gansuense, Epilobium yabei, Epilobium nepalense, Epilobium tenue, Epilobium laetum, Epilobium ovale, Epilobium miyabei, Epilobium origanifolium var. pubescens, Epilobium amurense subsp. laetum, etc.
Epilobium amurense Hausskn is a perennial herbaceous plant, short fleshy and leafy root suckers grow from the base of the stem in autumn. After elongation, it sometimes becomes rosette-shaped buds and sparse creeping branches.
The stem grows to 50~80 cm high, unbranched or with a few branches, the upper part is villous and glandular-hairy, the middle and lower parts sometimes even the upper part often have two obvious hairline lines, and the rest are glabrous;
Leaves are opposite, oval, sometimes oblong-lanceolate, 2~7 cm long, the apex is tapering, sometimes subacute or blunt, the base is rounded or broadly cuneate, edge with sawtooth, 4~6 pairs of lateral veins, villous on the veins and the edges, and the rest is glabrous; Sessile or with a short stalk at the lower part of the stem;
The inflorescences are often villous and glandular-hairy; the flower is sub-erect at the bud, villous and glandular-hairy; The throat of the flower tube has a ring of villous hair; Sepals are lanceolate-oblong, 3.5~5 mm long, sparsely villous, with a bunch of hairs between axils at the base joint; Petals are white, pink or rose-purple, obovate, 0.5~1 cm long, the apex is concave; The ovary is 1.5~2.8 mm long, with curly pilose and glandular hairs. The style sometimes grows sparsely near the base, and the stigma is nearly capitated. When it blooms, it surrounds the outer anther or slightly protrudes.
The capsular fruit is 1.5~7 cm long, sparsely pilose or glabrous; The stalk length is 0.3~1.2 cm; The seeds are oblong, obovoid, 0.8~1 mm long, with thick papillae and dark brown, with an inconspicuous short beak at the top; The tassel is white, 6~9 mm long and easy to fall off; Its flowering period is from May to August and fruiting from June to December.
Ecological environment: Epilobium amurense Hausskn grows in the wet places of mountain streams, marshes, grassy slopes, and forest margins, at areas with an altitude of 1,300~2,000 meters in North and 1,800-4,200 meters in the west of China. In China, it mainly grows North, and Northeast, Yellow River Basin, the upper region of the Yangtze River, and Southwest, Taiwan. The plant also grows in Kamchatka, the Far East, Sakhalin island, Northeast Asia, and the Himalayas to Kashmir in the west.
Medicinal efficacy: The herb of Epilobium amurense Hausskn has a constringency property and consolidates depletion. It is indicated for menorrhagia, leukorrhagia, chronic dysentery and diarrhea. Recommended dosage: internally as water decoction, 6~15 g.
Botanical description: Epilobium amurense subsp. cephalostigma (Hausskn.) C.J. Chen is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, it is known as the Rock mountain willow herb, or Glossy willow herb. Its synonyms are Epilobium sugaharai Koidz., Epilobium coreanum H. Lév., Epilobium nudicarpum Kom., Epilobium consimile var. japonicum Nakai, Epilobium cephalostigma var. nudicarpum (Kom.) H. Hara, Epilobium angulatum Kom., Epilobium calycinum Hausskn., Epilobium cephalostegma Hasskn., Epilobium amurense f. leucanthum (Honda) Yonek., Epilobium cephalostigma f. leucanthum Honda, Epilobium cephalostigma var. angulatum (Kom.) Vorosch., etc.
Epilobium amurense subsp. cephalostigma is a perennial herb, it grows up to 15~60 cm tall. Stems have edges, the upper part and branches have fine curly hairs, and the lower part only has fine curly hairs on the edges. Leaves are opposite; The petiole is extremely short, the leaves are elliptic or lanceolate, sometimes egg-lanceolate, 1.5~9 cm long and 5~33 mm wide, the upper leaves are small, the apex is sharp, the base is wedge-shaped, the edges are irregularly serrated, and both veins are covered with white hairs and glandular hairs.
Flowers are solitary and grow in leaf axils, reddish to white; the pedicel is extremely short, with curly hairs; Calyx is pipeline shape, lobes 4, lanceolate, with a cluster of pubescence between lobes; Petals 4, 2-lobed, purple, oblong; Stamens 8; The ovary is lower, with close curly hair, short style, stigma is head-shaped, and obvious enlarged.
The capsular fruit is linear, 3~8 cm long, 4-sided, and sparsely covered with fine curly hairs, splitting into 4 fruit petals, each of which is folded back. Seeds are numerous, ovate or elliptic, brown, with silvery white tufts of hairs at the apex. Its flowering period is from April to May and fruiting from June to July.
Ecological environment: The plant grows in the northwest, northeast, and southwest, the middle reaches of the Yellow River, and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China. It grows in the grass on the slopes of low mountains.
The overground parts are harvested in summer and autumn, dry them in the sun or use the fresh herb.
Medicinal efficacy: The herb has the functions of dispelling wind and clearing heat, cooling blood, and stanching bleeding. It is indicated for wind-heat hoarseness, sore throat, edema, hemoptysis, hematochezia, menorrhagia, and bleeding from a cut wound. Recommended dosage: the herb is used internally as a water decoction, 9~15 grams. External use: appropriate amount, pounded, and apply a coating.
(12).Epilobium tibetanum Hausskn.
Botanical description: Epilobium tibetanum Hausskn. is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, it is known as the glossy-seed willow herb. Its synonyms are Epilobium pseudo-obscurum Hausskn., Epilobium leiospermum Hausskn., Epilobium nuristanicum Rech.f., Epilobium roseum var. anagallidifolium C.B.Clarke., Epilobium roseum var. anagallifolium, etc.
Epilobium tibetanum Hausskn is a perennial herbaceous plant, dense fibrous roots grow from underground stems, and short leafy root suckers grow from the base of stems; the plant grows up to 1 meter tall, often branched, sparsely villous on the upper part, glabrous on the lower part, sparsely hairy on the ridge line; Leaves are opposite, lanceolate or narrowly ovate, 1.2~6.5 cm long, the apex is sharp or tapered, the base is cuneate, sparse and nearly round, serrulate, 4~5 pairs of lateral veins, sparsely pilose grow on veins and edges; the petiole is 2~5 mm long;
The pedicel length is 0.4~1.2 cm; The flower tube is 1~1.3 mm long, and the throat is often glabrous; Sepals are oblong-lanceolate, keel-like, 3.5~5 mm long; Petals are pink or rose-purple, pale white, obovate, 5~8 mm long, concave at apex; Stigma is head-shaped or broadly clavate, 1~1.8 mm high, surrounded by outer stamens when blooming;
The capsular fruit is 4.2~8.8 cm long and sparsely hairy; The stalk length is 0.8~2.5 cm; The seeds are oval or pear-shaped, 1.1~1.3 mm long, with reticular ornamentation; With an inconspicuous beak at the top; The tassel is gray, 7~9 mm long and easy to fall off; Its flowering period is from July to September and fruiting from August to October.
Ecological environment: Epilobium tibetanum Hausskn mainly grows in southwest China, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, Pakistan, Kashmir, and northern Afghanistan. In China, it grows mainly in western Sichuan, northwestern Yunnan, and southeast to southwest Tibet. The plant grows in wet places such as mountain valleys and gullies at an altitude of 2,350~4,500 meters.
(13).Epilobium platystigmatosum C. Robin.
Botanical description: Epilobium platystigmatosum C. Robin. is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, it is known as the wide-column willow herb. Its synonyms are Epilobium formosanum, Epilobium sohayakiense, Epilobium cephalostigma var. linearifolium., etc.
Epilobium platystigmatosum C. Robin. is a perennial herb, often clustered, root suckers grow out from the underground stems; Stems are cylindrical, often purplish red, it grows up to 70~90 cm high, multi-branched from bottom to top, and lateral branches sometimes re-branch 2~3 times, slender, villous and without ridgeline; Leaves are opposite, alternate in the upper part of the stem, narrowly lanceolate or nearly linear, 1~4.5 cm long, the apex is sharp or slightly blunt, base gradually narrowed or narrow wedge-shaped, middle and upper part of the edge has obvious tooth protrusion, 4~5 pairs of lateral veins, gradually purple at the lower part, sparsely villous on veins and edges, and the rest part is glabrous; the petiole is 1~4 mm long.
The inflorescence is slightly bent when flowering; Capsular fruit is 2.3~5 cm long, brown, sparsely villous, or gradually glabrous; The stalk length is 0.8~2.2 cm; Seeds are oblong and obovoid, 0.8~0.9 mm long, with thick papillae; With a short beak at the top; The tassel is gray, 6~8 mm long and easy to fall off; Its flowering period is from August to October and fruiting from September to November.
Ecological environment: Epilobium platystigmatosum grows in wet rough places, grassy slopes, valleys, and streams, at the area with an altitude of 1,000~3,500 meters. The plant grows in the Yellow River area, the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River, southwest of China, it also grows in the north area of the Philippine.
(14).Epilobium sinense Lévl.
Botanical description: Epilobium sinense is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, its latin name is Epilobium sinense Lévl., it is also known as the Chinese willow herb. Epilobium sinense Lévl is an endemic species of China.
Epilobium sinense is a perennial herb, often clustered, leafy roots grow from the base of the stem. Stems are cylindrical, it grows up to 50 cm in height, with dense leaves, obvious ridges, and curly hairs on them, the rest part is glabrous, leaves near the base are opposite, other leaves are alternate spiral, narrow spoon-shaped, oblong-lanceolate or linear, 1.2~7 cm long, blunt apex, narrow wedge-shaped base, sparse teeth with inconspicuous convex, obvious midrib and pale white, 4~5 pairs of lateral veins, there are hairs on the veins and at the edge. The petiole is 0.2~1.1 cm long;
The inflorescence is upright, the capsular fruit is 2.2~5.5 cm long, brown, sparsely villous or glabrous; The fruit stalk is 1.3~4 cm long; Seeds are oblong and obovoid, 1.2~1.3 mm long, with papillae; With a short beak; The tassel is reddish, 6~8 mm long and easy to fall off; The flowering period is from June to August or September, and the fruiting period is from August to October or December.
Ecological environment: Epilobium sinense is indigenous to China, it grows in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River, the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and southwest; The plant grows on wetlands along rivers, gullies and ponds, wetlands on hillsides, and gullies, at areas with the latitude of 550~2,400 meters above sea level.
(15).Epilobium cylindricum D. Don.
Botanical description: Epilobium cylindricum D. Don. is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family., it is also known as the west-china willow herb.
Epilobium cylindricum is a perennial stout herb, upright, with a thick big stem and many long fibrous fine roots, which produces leafy root sucker or scattered rosette-shaped seedlings from the base of the stem. Stems are cylindrical, often lignified near the base, 10~110 cm high, 3~9 mm thick, with many branches at the upper part, villous around the upper part, and glabrous at the lower part, but with inconspicuous ridges.
Leaves are opposite, alternate on inflorescence, green, turns red in flowering period, narrowly lanceolate to linear, 3~12 cm long and 0.4~2 cm wide, with a sharp apex and wedge-shaped base, with 20~30 or 50 serrations on each side of the edge, villous on the veins and sparsely villous on both sides of the edges, and 4-5 lateral veins on each side; the petiole is 3~7 mm or 10 mm long. The inflorescence is upright, densely covered with curly pilose, rare few glandular hairs.
Flowers are nearly upright; The bud is egg-shaped, 2.5~4.5 mm long and 2~2.5 mm in diameter; Ovary is 1.2~3.5 cm long, densely villous, usually without glandular hairs; Pedicel length is 0.5~1.5 cm; The pedicel is 1~1.5 cm long, 1.3-2 mm in diameter, and the throat is nearly glabrous; Sepals are lanceolate, keel-shaped, 3~5 mm long and 1~1.3 mm wide; Petals are pink to rose-purple, pale white, inverted heart-shaped, 3.6~7 mm long, 1.8~4 mm wide, and 0.8~1 mm deep at the apex; Anthers are oblong-ovate, 0.5~0.7 mm long and 0.3~0.4 mm in diameter; The length of the outer filament wheel is 2.2~4 mm, and the length of the inner filament wheel is 1~2.4 mm; Style is white, 2~4 mm long, upright, glabrous; Stigma is white, capitate, or broadly clavate, 0.8~2.2 mm long, 0.6~1.8 mm in diameter, as long as outer stamens. The capsular fruit is 4~8.5 cm long, somewhat pilose; The fruit stalk is 0.5~1 or 2.5 cm long. Seeds are narrowly obovate, 0.8~1 mm long, 0.32~0.45 mm in diameter, rounded tip, inconspicuous beak, brown, papillate on the surface; The tassel is gray, 5~8 mm long, and easy to fall off. The flowering period is from June to September, fruiting from July to October or December.
Ecological environment: Epilobium cylindricum grows in the middle west, the upper reaches of the Yangtze river, west-south, and southeastern Tibet of China. The plant grows in areas with a latitude of 400 ~ 1,300 ~ 3,300 meters above sea level, in wet places such as hillsides, forest edges, valleys, marshes, and lakes. It also grows in South Asia, Pakistan, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and the Tianshan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in the west.
This species Epilobium cylindricum is similar to Epilobium tibetanum Hausskn., Epilobium sinense H.Lev., Epilobium platystigmatosum C. Robinson, etc., and these species all belong to the flora of China-Himalayan.
(16).Epilobium brevifolium D.Don.
Botanical description: Epilobium brevifolium D.Don. is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family., it is also known as the Blunt-leaf willow herb. Its synonym is Epilobium trichoneurum var. brachyphyllum.
Epilobium brevifolium D.Don. is a perennial herb, upright, overwintering root suckers grow from the base of the stem; Stems grow up to 25~60 cm, 2.5~4 mm thick, unbranched or sparsely branched, pilose, often mixed with glandular hairs at the upper part, without ridgeline; Leaves are opposite, alternate on inflorescence, broadly ovate or ovate, 2.5~4.5 cm long and 1.5~2.2 cm wide, the base is nearly heart-shaped, with sharp teeth or inconspicuous shallow teeth, 5~6 pairs of lateral veins, the base is nearly heart-shaped, both sides and veins are villous, sometimes mixed with a few glandular hairs; Petiole is 1~4 mm long, or subsessile;
The inflorescence is upright to slightly pendulous. Flowers are upright, or slightly drooping when blooming; The bud is narrowly ovoid, 4~7 mm long and 2.5~3.5 mm in diameter; Ovary is 2~3 cm long, villous, sometimes mixed with glandular hairs; Pedicel length is 0.5~0.8 cm; The length of the flower tube is 1~1.4 mm, the diameter is 2~2.5 mm, and the throat part has a few long hairs; Enacious fragments are lanceolate oblong, keel-shaped, 4.5~6.5 mm long, 1~1.2 mm wide, villous and glandular-hairy; Petals are pink to rose-purple, inverted heart-shaped, 9~11 mm long, 4~5 mm wide, concave depth of apex is 1.2~2 mm; Anthers are oblong, 1~1.4 mm long and 0.4~0.6 mm wide; The length of the outer filament wheel is 4~5 mm, and the length of the inner filament wheel is 2.5~3.5 mm; Style is upright, 3~5 mm long, glabrous; Stigma is broadly clavate or clavate, 2~3.2 mm high, 1~1.6 mm in diameter, nearly as high as or slightly higher than outer stamens at flowering. The capsular fruit is 5~7 cm long, and is pilose, sometimes mixed with glandular hairs; The fruit stalk is 0.4~1.5 cm long. The seeds are oblong and obovate, 0.9~1.1 mm long and 0.4~0.5 mm wide, with a short beak at the top, dark brown, and papillae on the surface; The tassel is gray-white, 5~10 mm long and easy to fall off. Its flowering period is from June to July and fruiting from August to September.
Ecological environment: Epilobium brevifolium D.Don. is endemic to the Himalayas area, in China it grows in southeastern Tibet and western Yunnan, and it also grows in Nepal. The plant grows in the wet places near the ravines in mountainous areas with an altitude of 1,700~2,100 meters. Epilobium brevifolium D.Don. is a unique plant species of the Himalayan region.
Related subspecies: The subspecies of Epilobium brevifolium D.Don. are the original subspecies Epilobium brevifolium D.Don subsp. brevifolium and Epilobiumbrevifolium D. Don subsp. trichoneurum(Hausskn.) Raven subspecies.
Epilobium brevifolium D.Don subsp.brevifolium: This species is an original subspecies of Epilobium brevifolium D.Don., it is a species of China-Himalayan flora. Its plant size, leaf shape and size, hairs, and stigma shape vary greatly, but it is characterized by curly hair around the stem, no ridgeline, obvious petiole, wedge-shaped base, head-shaped stigma, and short fruit stalk, which makes it easy to distinguish it from other species.
Epilobium brevifolium D.Don subsp.trichoneurum(Hausskn.) Raven: The main difference from Epilobium brevifolium D.Don subsp.brevifolium is, the stem often rises, especially the upper part is glandular-hairy and villous around it; The leaves are narrowly ovate to lanceolate, the base is round or wedge-shaped, the back surface is often purplish red, and the veins are densely covered with hairs. Its flowering period is from July to September and fruiting from September to October. This species grows in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the southeast coast, and the southwest of China. The plant grows in the wet places of grassy slopes, river valleys and gullies, and ponds in mountainous areas. The altitude is 600~1,800 meters in South China and East China, and 900~2,500 meters in the west. It also grows in the Philippines, Myanmar, and Bhutan. This taxon is widely distributed in eastern Asia, and it is a floristic species of the warm temperate zone in East Asia. Its posture, leaf shape, stem and hair cover, etc. vary greatly.
(17).Epilobium pannosum Hausskn.
Botanical description: Epilobium pannosum Hausskn is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family., it is also known as the stiff-haired willow herb or wirehaired willow herb. Its synonym is Epilobium khasianum, or Epilobium brevifolium subsp. pannosum.
Epilobium pannosum Hausskn is a perennial herb, with overwintering rosette buds growing underground or above the ground from the base of the stem. Each part is densely covered with filiform long coarse hairs. The stem is as high as 1.2 meters, the middle and upper parts are often branched, densely covered with villi, and sometimes the upper parts are covered with glandular hairs; Leaves are opposite, densely stacked, sessile, and the base is often somewhat stalked, oval, lanceolate or oval, 1~4.8 cm long, the apex is tapered, sharp or nearly blunt from top to bottom, the base is nearly round, with fine teeth, and 5~8 pairs of lateral veins;
Flowers are pendulous or nearly upright, up to 1.7 cm long; Pedicel is 1~2 cm long; The flower tube is 0.8~1.2 mm long, with a ring of long hair at the throat; Sepals are oblong-lanceolate, 5.5~8 mm long, densely covered with villi and glandular hairs; Petals are pink or rose-colored, broadly inverted heart-shaped, 0.8~16 cm long, concave apex; The ovary is 2~3.5 cm long, densely covered with villi and glandular hairs, the style is white, nearly glabrous or sparsely hairy at the lower part, the stigma is cylindrical or broadly clavate, 1.5~3.5 mm high, obviously higher than the stamens.
The capsular fruit is 3.5~6.5 cm long, with villi and glandular hairs; The stalk length is 1.2~2.8 cm; Seeds are broadly obovoid, 0.9~1 mm long, papillose; With a short beak at the top; The tassel is gray, 7~8 mm long and easy to fall off; Its flowering period is from July to October and fruiting from September to November.
Ecological environment: Epilobium pannosum Hausskn grows in wet places beside grass slopes, valleys, and gullies, with an altitude of 760~1,500~2,200 meters. The plant grows in the west south area of China.
This species, Epilobium pannosum Hausskn, grows in the eastern Himalayas and the southern part of the Hengduan Mountains, and is similar to Epilobium brevifolium D.Don., so Peter H. Raven once classified this species as a subspecies of the latter. However, this species has a peculiar indumentum, dense arrangement of leaves, long stick-shaped stigma, high stamens sticking out during flowering, its flowering and fruiting periods are late, and other unique characteristics, so it should be restored as an independent species naturally.
(18).Epilobium williamsii Raven.
Botanical description: Epilobium williamsii Raven is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family., it is also known as the high-mountain willow herb or buried-scales willow herb.
Epilobium williamsii Raven is a perennial dwarf tufted herb, upright or ascending, with elongated fleshy root suckers coming out from the base of the stem, and scale leaves remaining at the base of the stem the following year; The stem grows 4~25 cm tall, often branched at the base, the upper part is villous, and the lower part is villous only on the ridge line; Leaves are opposite, densely arranged on stems, longer than internodes, ovate or elliptic-ovate, 0.7~2.2 cm long, apex tapering or nearly acuminate, base nearly round, broadly wedge-shaped or nearly heart-shaped, with dense serrations, 3-5 pairs of lateral veins, and villous veins; Usually subsessile.
The inflorescence is densely covered with curved pilose and glandular-hairy; Flowers are slightly pendulous or upright at the early stage; Pedicel is 3~6 mm long; The throat of the flower tube has a ring of extended hairs; Sepals are lanceolate, oblong, keel-shaped, villous and glandular-hairy; Petals are rose-red, obcordate, 5~6.5 mm, apex concave; Ovary is 1~2 cm long, densely covered with glandular-hairy and villous, style is purple, glabrous; Stigma is capitate, surrounded by outer whorl anthers when flowering.
Capsular fruit is 3.5~6 cm long, sparsely villous; The fruit stalk is 0.4~1 cm long; Seeds are narrowly obovoid, 0.9~1.2 mm long, with tiny papillae and short beak at the top; The tassel is white, 5~6 mm long and easy to fall off; Its flowering period is from July to August and fruiting from August to September.
Ecological environment: Epilobium williamsii Raven grows in wet places such as alpine meadows, valleys, lakes, and gravel fields near glaciers, in areas with a latitude of 3,350~4,900 meters; The plant grows in the east of the Tibetan Plateau, west south area of China, and it also grows in Sikkim, Nepal, and north area of South Asia.
(19).Epilobium sikkimense Hausskn.
Botanical description: Epilobium sikkimense Hausskn is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family., it is also known as the brown-scales willow herb or Asia-east willow herb. The synonyms are Epilobium alsinifolium, Epilobium squamosum, Epilobium trilectorum, Epilobium soboliferum, Epilobium sikkimense subsp. ludlowianum.
Epilobium sikkimense Hausskn is a perennial-tufted herb, which stands upright or rises, and thick fleshy root suckers grow from or under the ground at the base of the stem. The next year, the scale leaves turn brown and leathery and persist at the base of the stem. Stems grow up to 25 cm or 60 cm tall, unbranched or sometimes branched, ridgelines 2, sometimes 4, villous on them, the rest is glabrous; Leaves are opposite, egg-shaped, oval or oblong-lanceolate, 0.8~1.5 or 7.5 cm long, gradually narrowing toward the lower part, usually as long as or shorter than internodes, with blunt or sharp apex, wide wedge-shaped or round base with serrations, 4~6 pairs of lateral veins, and villous on the veins and edges; the petiole is 1~3 mm long;
The inflorescence is often pendulous, beginning with bracts dense at the top of the stem; Upright or pendulous in bud; the pedicel length is 0.5~0.8 cm; The throat of the flower tube has a ring of long hair; Sepals are oblong-lanceolate, keel-like, 5.5~8 mm long; Petals are pink or rose-purple, wide obcordate or obovate, 0.7~1.4 cm long, concave apex; Ovary is 1.5~3.5 cm long, with curly pilose and glandular hairs. The style is usually sparsely spread with white hairs near the base, the stigma is head-shaped, and outer anthers surround it when it blooms.
The capsular fruit is 5~9 cm long, sparsely villous and glandular-hairy, and the stalk is 0.6~2.5 cm long; The seeds are narrowly obovoid, 1~1.3 mm long, with thick papillae; With a short beak at the top; The tassel is white, 6~8 mm long and easy to fall off; Its flowering period is from June to August and fruiting from August to September.
Ecological environment: Epilobium sikkimense Hausskn grows in grasslands, valleys, gravel fields in high mountain areas, and wet places of gravel fields on the outer edge of glaciers, in the area with an altitude of 2,400~4,700 meters above sea level; in China, it grows in the west, west south, the plant also grows in South Asia, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, and northern Pakistan, etc.
(20).Epilobium gouldii Raven.
Botanical description: Epilobium gouldii Raven is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family., it is also known as the parry willow herb.
Epilobium gouldii Raven is a perennial upright herb, scales root suckers grow at the neck of rhizomes below the ground; Scaly bud is fleshy, nearly spherical, scaly leaf grows from the base of the annual stem, leathery, obovate, 5~8 mm long; The stem is 23~30 cm tall, 1.5~3 mm thick, unbranched, sparsely branched, with densely villous ridges, and the rest is glabrous.
Leaves are opposite, alternate on inflorescence, herbaceous, sessile, ovate, 2~3 cm long and 1~1.4 cm wide, the apex is sharp to short acuminate, the base is broadly rounded, margin with 16~28 sharp serrations on each side, lateral veins with 4~5 on each side, veins, and margins are sparsely villous, others are nearly glabrous.
Inflorescence slightly pendulous before flowering, villous and glandular hairy; Bracts are leaflike, often longer than the middle of ovary; Slightly drooping when the flower is in bud; Buds are narrowly ovoid, 3~5 mm long; Ovary is 1.2~1.8 cm long, with villous and glandular hairs; The flower stalk is 3~6 mm long; The length of the flower tube is 0.7~0.9 mm, the diameter is 1.8~2 mm, and the throat is villous; Sepals are needle-like oblong, 3.5~4.5 mm long and 0.7~1.2 mm wide, sparsely villous and glandular hairy, and often tufted villous at the base junction; Petals are rose-purple, inverted heart-shaped, 4.5~5.5 cm long, 2.5~3.5 mm wide, and 0.7~1 mm deep at the apex; Anthers are broadly ovoid, 0.5~0.6 mm long and 0.3~0.45 mm in diameter; The length of the outer filament wheel is 2.5~3 mm, and the length of the inner filament wheel is 1.5~2 mm; The style is 2.5~3 mm long, upright, glabrous; Stigma is clavate to nearly capitate, 1~1.2 mm long, 0.7~0.9 mm in diameter, protruding from the outer anther when flowering.
The capsular fruit is 4.5~6 cm long; The fruit stalk is 0.6~1.5 cm long; The seeds are narrowly obovate, 0.9~1 mm long, 0.35~0.37 mm in diameter, short-beaked at the top, light brown and papillate on the surface; The tassel is white, 5~6 mm long and easy to fall off; Its flowering period is from July to August and fruiting from August to September.
Ecological environment: Epilobium gouldii Raven grows in alpine meadows and moist wood margins, altitude 3,650~4,350 meters above sea level. In China, the plant grows in South Tibet and Yunnan, it also grows in Sikkim and adjacent areas in the central Himalaya.
(21).Epilobum hohuanense S.S. Ying
Botanical description: Epilobum hohuanense S.S. Ying is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family., it is also known as Hohuanense willow herb.
Epilobum hohuanense S.S. Ying is a perennial plant, stems are often decumbent, cylindrical, often purple-red, 5~20 cm high, 1~2 mm thick, branched or unbranched, surrounded by curly pilose, sometimes ridged. Leaves are opposite, alternate on inflorescence, narrowly elliptical or oblong to lanceolate, often spoon-shaped at the lower part of the stem, 0.5~2.5 cm long and 0.15~0.7 cm wide, apex is nearly sharp, the lower part of the stem is nearly blunt, base tapering to narrowly wedge-shaped, edge with 4~10 teeth protruding on each side, lateral veins are inconspicuous. 3-6 strips on each side, nearly glabrous or with sparse hairs on the lower veins and edges, gradually changing into lavender; Petiole is 1~3 mm long, subsessile at the upper part of the stem.
The inflorescence is upright; Flowers are nearly upright; Bud is oval, 2~4 mm long, 0.4~0.8 cm in diameter; The length of the flower tube is 0.6~1.1 mm, the diameter is 1.2~1.6 mm, and the throat has a ring of sparse hairs or nearly glabrous; Sepals are green or purplish red, oblong, 2~3.5 mm long, 0.7~1 mm wide, villous, with white petals, often turning pink or rose, obovate, 3.5~6.5 mm long and 2.3~3.2 mm wide; The anthers are milky yellow, oblong, 0.5~0.9 mm long and 0.3~0.5 mm wide; The length of the outer filament wheel is 1.8~3.4 mm, and the length of the inner filament wheel is 1~1.8 mm; Style is 2.5~3.5 mm long, glabrous; Stigma is nearly capitate to broadly clavate, 0.6~1 mm long and 0.45~0.8 mm wide, surrounded by outer anthers when flowering. Calyx fruit is 2.6~5.5 cm long, villous or glabrous; The fruit stalk is 0.9~2.2 cm long.
The seeds are oblong to narrowly obovate, 1~1.3 mm long, 0.36~0.46 mm in diameter, round at the top, with a short beak, light brown and papillate on the surface; The tassel is white, 5~9 mm long, and not easy to fall off. Its flowering period is from July to September and fruiting from August to November.
Ecological environment: The plant grows in the wet place of the open rocky beach or gravel land on the hillside of 2,650~3,600 meters above sea level, or at the forest edge. The type specimen is collected from Hehuan Mountain at the junction of Hualien and Nantou in Taiwan.
This species Epilobum hohuanense S.S. Ying is similar to Epilobium platystigmatosum C. Robin., and it is easy to be mistaken for the latter. The main difference is that this species Epilobum hohuanense S.S. Ying is short, its leaves are short and wide, its seeds are large, and its tassels are not easy to fall off. It grows in the high mountain area of 2,650~3,600 meters, while the latter Epilobium platystigmatosum C. Robin. only grows in the middle and low altitude area of 1,100~2,500 meters.
(22).Epilobium royleanum Hausskn.
Botanical description: Epilobium royleanum Hausskn is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family., it is also known as short-stalk willow herb. The synonyms are Epilobium lividum, Epilobium himalayense, Epilobium royleanum f. glandulosum, Epilobium royleanum f. glabrum, Epilobium roseum var. indicum, Epilobium roseum var. dalhousieanum.
Epilobium royleanum Hausskn is a perennial herb, upright or ascending, overwintering fleshy root suckers grow from the base of the stem; The stem grows as high as 60 cm, often branched, villous, and the upper part is often mixed with glandular hairs, without ridgeline; Leaves are opposite, the base is slightly stalked, narrowly ovate or lanceolate, sometimes elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, 1.5~7 cm long, the apex is tapered or nearly acuminate, the base is wedge-shaped, sparsely nearly round, serrulate, with 4~6 pairs of lateral veins, and the veins and edges are villous; Petiole is 2~7 mm long;
The inflorescence is upright, densely villous, and often mixed with glandular hairs; The capsular fruit is 3.5~7 cm long, with a few glandular hairs; The fruit stalk is 0.4~1 cm long; Seeds are oblong and obovoid, 0.9~1.2 mm long, papillate; With a short beak at the top; The tassel is gray, 5~6 mm long and easy to fall off; Its flowering period is from July to September and fruiting from August to October.
Ecological environment: The plant Epilobium royleanum Hausskn grows in mountain areas, along river valleys, gullies, roadsides, or wet places on barren slopes, in areas of elevation 1,000~4,300 meters; In China, it grows in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, west north, the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, southwest; The plant also grows in Sikkim in the Himalayas, Nepal, Kashmir, and Afghanistan, etc.
(23).Epilobium pyrricholophum Franch. et Savat.
Botanical description: Epilobium pyrricholophum Franch. et Savat. is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family., it is also known as long-seed willow herb. The synonyms are Epilobium myokoense, Epilobium kiusianum, Epilobium axillare, Epilobium hakkodense, Epilobium arcuatum, Epilobium chrysocoma, Epilobium quadrangulum, Epilobium rouyanum, Epilobium oligodontum, Epilobium pyrricholophum var. curvatopilosum, Epilobium nakaianum, Epilobium myokense, Epilobium prostratum, Epilobium makinoense, Epilobium pyrricholophum f. kiusianum, Epilobium pyrricholophum var. anuoleucholophum.
Epilobium pyrricholophum Franch. et Savat. is a perennial herb, slender overwintering creeping branches grow from the base of stems, without scaly buds at the branches; Stems grow up to 80 cm tall, cylindrical, often branched, densely villous and glandular-hairy; Leaves are opposite, densely arranged, longer than internodes, subsessile, ovate or broadly ovate, sometimes lanceolate at the upper part of the stem, 2~5 cm long, sharp at the apex or nearly blunt at the lower part, blunt or round at the base, sometimes nearly heart-shaped, sharply serrated, 4~6 pairs of lateral veins, both surfaces and veins are villous, and mixed glandular hairs at the upper part of the stem.
The inflorescence is upright, capsular fruit is 3.5~7 cm long, glandular-hairy; The fruit stalk length is 0.7~1.5 cm; Seeds are narrowly obovoid, 1.5~1.8 mm long, papillose; Apex is tapered, beaked; The tassel is reddish brown, 0.7~1.2 cm long and persistent; Its flowering period is from July to September and fruiting from August to November.
Ecological environment: Epilobium pyrricholophum Franch. et Savat. grows in wet places along rivers, valleys, ponds, and paddy fields in mountainous areas, with the latitude of 150~1,770 meters above sea level; In China, the plant grows in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, upper and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, southeast coast, it also grows in the Wusuli River area.
(24).Epilobium nankotaizanense Yamamoto.
Botanical description: Epilobium nankotaizanense Yamamoto is an alpine perennial decumbent herb, it is commonly known as the south-lake willow herb. The rhizomes extend up to 10 meters underground. The underground succulent roots grow from the nodes, and small-scale leaves densely grow near the ground; the aboveground stems are 3~18 cm long and 0.5~1 mm thick, often branched at the upper part, surrounded by curly hairs, sometimes mixed with glandular hairs;
The leaves are opposite, alternate on the inflorescence, often densely grow on the upper part of the stem, nearly leathery, nearly fleshy when fresh, broadly elliptic to obovate or ovate, sparsely round, 0.8~2.1 cm long, 0.5~1.2 cm wide, apex is obtuse, the base is nearly cuneate, sparsely nearly truncate, margin with 3-7 shallow teeth on each side, 3~5 lateral veins on each side, inconspicuous, sparsely pubescent only grow on veins and margins, often covered with sparse rod-shaped stalactites; petiole is 1~3 mm long; inflorescence is nearly upright to ascending;
Capsular fruit is brown, 2~4.5 cm long, 3~4 mm in diameter, sparsely covered with pubescent and glandular hairs; fruiting peduncle is 0.4~0.7 cm long; seeds are narrowly obovate, 1.6~1.8 mm long, with a short beak, the thin surface has reticulate ornamentation; Seed tassel is gray-white, 6~9 mm long, persistent; Its flowering period is July to August, the fruiting period is August to September;
Epilobium nankotaizanense Yamamoto has a developed root system, the plant has dense hairs, curled leaves, epidermal cells that are thick and keratinized, and many anthocyanins in leaf cells, which can absorb strong ultraviolet light, so they grow in clusters in small areas.
Ecological environment: Epilobium nankotaizanense Yamamoto grows in Yilan, Taichung, and Hualien, it is endemic to Taiwan of China, the plant grows on high mountain stone ledge, in the area with the latitude of 2,600~3,750 meters above sea level, the distribution area is very narrow, only the South-lake Mountain at the junction of Yilan, Taichung and Hualien three counties in the north of Taiwan's Central Mountains. This species is endemic to Taiwan, and currently only survives in the South-lake Mountains in the northern part of the Central Mountains.
The habitat of Epilobium nankotaizanense Yamamoto is very special. It is located on the top of the mountains, with low temperature, low heat, strong radiation, high wind speed, and a lot of gravel. The annual average temperature is 4.7 °C (Celsius, or 40.46 degrees Fahrenheit), the highest monthly average temperature is 10.6 °C (Celsius, or 51.08 degrees Fahrenheit), the lowest monthly average temperature is -2.8 °C (Celsius, or 26.96 degrees Fahrenheit), and the annual precipitation is about 3,000 mm. Because the production area faces the Pacific Ocean, the wind speed is large, and the sunshine hours reach 2,076 hours. The soil is mountain gravel soil, the soil layer is thin, and there are many gravels. The plant grows in detrital rubble between slopes and ice valleys.
Epilobium nankotaizanense Yamamoto has low plants and large flowers, which are pink or purplish red. The flowers are open during the day and closed at night. It is a remnant species of the ice age, and it is limited to a few high mountains due to the retreat of the glaciers. Epilobium nankotaizanense Yamamoto is one of the precious and rare plants in Taiwan.
(25).Epilobium taiwanianum C. J. Chen.
Botanical description: Epilobium taiwanianum C. J. Chen is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family., it is also known as Taiwan willow herb.
Epilobium taiwanianum C. J. Chen is a perennial herb, nearly upright, often clumps; rhizomes are 1~6 cm long, overwintering fleshy scales and root suckers emerge from the base of the stem, the next year, the scale leaves turn brown, leathery, grow densely at the base of the stem, imbricate arranged, narrowly obovate to spoon-shaped, 3~10 mm long, 2.5~3 mm wide; stems are 7~25 cm high, 1~2 mm thick, unbranched or with few branches, pubescent around, without ridges;
Flowers are upright; flower buds are ovate, 3~4 mm long, 2~2.5 mm in diameter, pubescent; the ovary is 1~2.4 cm long, covered with curly fleshy hairs, sparsely mixed with glandular hairs; pedicels are 4~7 mm long, the flower tube is 0.6~1 mm long, 1.2~1.8 mm in diameter, flower throat is sparsely hairy; sepals are oblong-lanceolate, keel-shaped in cross-section, 3~5 mm long, 0.8~1.2 mm wide, pubescent, petals are rose-purple, narrowly obovate, 4~6.5 mm long, 2~4 mm wide, apex concave is 1~1.5 mm deep; anthers are nearly oblong, 0.7~0.9 mm long, 0.6~0.7 mm wide; Filament outer wheel is 2.5~3 mm long, the inner wheel is 2~2.2 mm long; style is white, upright, 2.5~3.5 mm long, glabrous; stigma is capitate or broad stick.
Capsular fruit is 2.5~5 cm long, 1~2 mm in diameter, pubescent; fruit pedicel is 0.5~1 cm long; seeds are narrowly obovate, 1.1~1.5 mm long, 0.45~0.6 mm in diameter, with a very short beak at the top, light brown, with inconspicuous papillae on the surface; tassels are white, 5~7 mm long, easy to fall off; its flowering period is from July to September, fruiting from August to December.
Ecological environment: Epilobium taiwanianum C. J. Chen grows in alpine rocky beaches, wet gravel areas, and shady places at the edge of rare forests, 3,000~3,900 meters above sea level. Epilobium taiwanianum C. J. Chen is a unique plant in Taiwan, it only grows in Hsinchu, Yilan, Miaoli, Taichung, and Nantou of Taiwan. The type specimen was collected from Snow Mountain of Taichung.
(26).Epilobium pengii C.J. Chen.
Botanical description: Epilobium pengii C.J. Chen is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family., it is commonly known as Net-seeds willow herb.
Epilobium pengii C.J. Chen is a perennial herb, ascending, sparsely clustered, succulent fleshy root suckers emerge from the base of the stem, and scale leaves persist at the base of the stem the following year; stems are 7~25 cm high, 1~2.5 mm thick, unbranched, sparsely branched, the upper part is surrounded by curly hairs, the lower part is nearly glabrous, and the ridges are not obvious.
The leaves are opposite below the inflorescence, the lower part of the stem is denser than the upper part, ovate, sublanceolate in the upper part or elliptic in the lower part, 1.5~2.5 cm long, 0.8~1.2 cm wide, the apex is sharp, or the lower part of the stem is near blunt shape, the base is rounded or wedge-shaped, 7~12 irregular shallow teeth on each side of the margin, 3~5 lateral veins on each side, pubescent on veins and margins, rest is glabrous; petiole is 1~2 mm long or subsessile; inflorescences is pendulous, densely pubescent.
Capsular fruit is 4.5~5 cm long, sparsely pubescent; fruit pedicel is 1.5~2 cm long; seeds are narrowly obovate, 1~1.1 mm long, 0.35~0.4 mm in diameter, with a short beak at the top and finely reticulated surface; The tassels are dirty white, 5~7 mm long, nearly persistent; the flowering period is from July to September, and the fruiting period is from September to October.
Ecological environment: Epilobium pengii C.J. Chen grows in wet places beside alpine creeks and springs, in areas with the latitude of 3,100~3,700 meters above sea level, the plant grows in Taiwan Hsinchu, Yilan, Taichung, Nantou (Yushan Hehuan Mountain), Hualien, it is an endemic species of Taiwan.
(27).Epilobium clarkeanum Hausskn.
Botanical description: Epilobium clarkeanum Hausskn is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, it is commonly known as Elegant willow herb.
Epilobium clarkeanum Hausskn is a perennial herb, often sparsely clumps, short root suckers grow from above ground or underground stem base, scale leaves persisting at the base the following year, leathery, brown, narrowly obovate to spoon-shaped, 4~7 mm long, 2~3 mm wide, the apex is obtuse; the stem is upright or ascending, 10~20 cm high, 0.8~2 mm thick, unbranched, sometimes branched at base, sparsely pubescent around the upper part, lower part is gradually glabrous, ridges inconspicuous.
The leaves are opposite, alternate on the inflorescence, leaves in the middle of the stem are ovate-elliptic, ovate in the upper part, often obovate in the lower part, 1.1~1.6 cm long, 0.5~0.8 cm wide, the apex from the lower part of the stem to the upper leaves are obtuse to nearly sharp, the base is cuneate to suborbicular, margin with 3~8 shallow teeth on each side, lateral veins 3~4 on each side, inconspicuous, pubescent on veins and margin, rest is glabrous; petiole is 1~2 mm long or subsessile; inflorescences are pendulous, sparsely pubescent.
Capsular fruit is 3.5~4 cm long, sparsely curly pubescent; fruit pedicel is 0.6~0.7 cm long; seeds are narrowly obovate or nearly prismatic, 0.8~0.9 mm long, 0.3~0.35 mm in diameter, apex has short beaks, light brown, with a fine mesh on the surface; the tassels are white, 4.5~5 mm long, easy to fall off; its flowering period is April to July, the fruiting period is from July to August.
Ecological environment: Epilobium clarkeanum Hausskn grows in wet places near the lake in mountainous areas with a latitude of 3,600~4,500 meters above sea level, the plant grows in Yunnan of China, it also grows in northern Myanmar, Sikkim.
The distribution of Epilobium clarkeanum Hausskn is rare, its appearance is similar to Epilobium pengii C.J. Chen, Hoch & Raven in Taiwan.
(28).Epilobium blinii Lévl.
Botanical description: Epilobium blinii Lévl is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, it is commonly known as Long-column willow herb or Peat-bog willow herb.
Epilobium blinii Lévl is a perennial herb, upright or slightly ascending, with decumbent rhizomes, rosette-like overwintering buds grow from the base of stems; stems grow up to 45 cm, often unbranched, covered by curly pubescent, sparsely nearly glabrous, with many obvious ridges; leaves are opposite, upper leaves are alternate, basal leaves are obovate or oblanceolate, 1.5~4.5 cm long, with petioles 1~5 mm long; cauline leaves are narrowly elliptic, oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, 1~3 cm long, the apex is obtuse, the base is nearly cuneate, sparsely rounded, sparsely distant from tooth convex, sparsely nearly entire-edge, sparsely pubescent on both surfaces, lateral veins are 3-4 pairs.
The inflorescence is nearly upright or pendulous; flowers are upright; pedicel is 1.2~3.5 cm long; flower tube is 1.2~2.5 mm long, sparsely ringed with long hairs on throat; sepals are narrowly lanceolate, 5~7.5 mm long, densely pubescent, and mixed with glandular hairs; petals are rose or purple, obovate, 1~1.5 cm long, the apex is concave; the ovary is densely pubescent, sometimes mixed with glandular hairs; the lower part of the style and under the stigma are densely covered stretched hairs; the stigma is deep to shallow 4-lobed, protruding stamens.
Capsular fruit is 3-5.5 cm long, often densely pubescent, sometimes mixed glandular hairs; fruit stalk is 1.5~3.5 cm long; seeds are brown, oblong or narrowly obovoid, 1.2~1.5 mm long, with fine papillae; the base is fine-pointed, with a short beak at the top; the tassels are gray-white, 0.7~1 cm long, easy to fall off; the flowering period is from April to July, and the fruiting period is from May to August or October.
Epilobium blinii Lévl is related to Epilobium nankotaizanense Yamamoto, which is also native to the high mountains of central Taiwan.
Ecological environment: Epilobium blinii Lévl grows in mountainous acid swamps and shady places near lakes and ditches, especially sphagnum moss and bamboo forests in shady and damp places, with an altitude of 1,500~3,300 meters, this species is endemic to China, it grows in west south mountains of China.
This species of plant was still widely distributed in the 1930s, but its distribution area has shrunk rapidly since then. So far, only small pieces are distributed in some special habitats at medium and low altitudes in west-south China, and it has become an endangered species. This may be closely related to the deforestation of the production area and the deterioration of the living environment.
(29).Epilobium fangii.
Botanical description: Epilobium fangii C.J. Chen is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, it is commonly known as Kawanishi willow herb.
Epilobium fangii C.J. Chen is a perennial herb, with scale root suckers and strips that grow from the base of the stem, scale buds extending up to 2~3.5 cm, scale leaves are leathery, densely grow at the base of the stem in the following year; stems grow up to 40 cm, covered with pilose and glandular hairs, lower ridges are inconspicuous; leaves are opposite, elliptic or elliptic-oblong, 1.5~4 cm long, the apex is subobtuse, sometimes nearly sharp, the base is cuneate or broadly cuneate, with shallow serrations, lateral veins are inconspicuous, 4~5 pairs, sparsely pubescent on veins and margins, glabrous; petiole is 2~6 mm long;
The inflorescence is upright, densely pubescent, and sparsely glandular; flowers are upright; the peduncle is 3~7 mm long; a ring of long hairs grow at the throat of the flower tube; sepals are oblong-lanceolate, keel-shaped, 4~5 mm long; petals are pink or rose-purple, narrow obcordate, 6~7.5 mm long, apex has concave; the ovary is 1.5~3 cm long, style is glabrous or sparsely hairy at base, stigma is capitate, surrounded by outer anthers when flowering;
Capsular fruit is 3~7 cm long, nearly glabrous or sparsely pubescent; fruit peduncle is 0.5~1.8 mm long; seeds are narrowly obovate, 1.1~1.4 mm long, with tiny papillae, apex with the inconspicuous beak; The seedlings are white, 6~7 mm long, and fall off easily; the flowering period is from May to August, and the fruiting period is from June to August or October.
Ecological environment: Epilobium fangii C.J. Chen grows in sunshine places along river valleys and ravines, alpine gravel fields, in areas with an elevation of latitude 1,100~3,500 meters, the plant is endemic to China, produced in western Sichuan and northern Yunnan, type specimens were collected from Mount Emei.
Epilobium fangii C.J. Chen is similar to Epilobium taiwanianum, the main difference is that the upper part of the stem is mixed with curly pubescence and glandular hairs, the lower part has indistinct ridges, the leaves are elliptical, and the apex is often blunt.
(30).Epilobium fastigiatoramosum Nakai.
Botanical description: Epilobium fastigiatoramosum Nakai is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, it is commonly known as Branchy willow herb. Its synonyms are Epilobium baicalense, Epilobium palustre var. typicum.
Epilobium fastigiatoramosum Nakai is a perennial herb, with leafy root suckers grow from stem base, sometimes with short slender stolons underground, stems grow up to 50~80 cm, much branched, pubescent; leaves are opposite, sessile, or very short stalk, narrowly elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, 1~2~7 cm long, the apex is sharp, sometimes a little blunt, the base is cuneate or subrounded, nearly entire-edge, with lateral veins 4-6 pairs, the upper and back surface have sparsely curly hairs on veins.
The inflorescence is upright, densely pubescent with glandular hairs; flowers are upright; pedicle is 0.4~1.3 cm long; Flower tube throat has sparsely a ring of whitish hairs or nearly glabrous; sepals are narrowly ovate to lanceolate, 2.5~3.3 mm long; Petals are white, obcordate or narrowly obovate, 3~4 mm long, apex concave; the ovary is 1.2~2.5 cm long, densely covered by pubescent and glandular hairs, style is glabrous, stigma is subcapitate, sometimes subclonal shaped, slightly protruding or surrounded by anthers.
Capsular fruit is 1.7~7 cm long, pubescent; peduncle is 0.9~2.1 cm long; seeds are narrowly obovate or narrowly oblanceolate, 0.9~1.3 mm long, with very thin papillae and short beak at the top; tassels are dirty white, 0.7~1.2 cm long, difficult to fall off; Its flowering period is from July to August, fruiting from August to September.
Ecological environment: Epilobium fastigiatoramosum Nakai grows in mountainous wetlands, especially alpine meadows, river valleys, beside streams and ditches, and ponds, in areas with a latitude of 400~3,300 meters. The plant grows in the north area, the Yellow River Basin, the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and other regions of China. The plant also grows in Northeast Asia, Ussuri, and Northern Asia.
(31).Epilobium subcoriaceum Hausskn.
Botanical description: Epilobium subcoriaceum Hausskn is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, it is commonly known as Leathery willow herb.
Epilobium subcoriaceum Hausskn is a perennial herb, with fleshy scales and root suckers emerging from the ground at the base of the stem, and scales and leaves persisting at the base of the stem in the following year; the stem grows up to 45 cm, the lower part is often purple-red, with 2 or 4 ridges, obvious, and its surface is hairy, the rest are glabrous; the leaves are opposite, narrowly ovate or lanceolate, 1.5~5.5 cm long, the apex is sharp, the base is broadly cuneate, the margin is finely serrated, the lateral veins are 4~5 pairs, and the veins and margins are pubescent; the petiole is 1~2.5 mm long.
The inflorescence slightly droops before flowering; the flower more or less droops at the bud; the pedicle is 4~8 mm long; there is a ring of white hairs on the throat of the flower tube; sepals are lanceolate, keel-shaped, 3.5~6 mm long, petals are pink or rose-purple, obovate, 0.6~1.1 cm long, the apex is concave; the ovary is 1.5~2.5 cm long, pubescent and glandular hairs; style is glabrous or sparsely villous near the base; stigma is capitate, surrounded by outer anthers when flowering.
Capsular fruit is 3~7 cm long, with sparsely glandular hairs and pilose; fruit peduncle is 0.4~1.2 cm long; seeds are oblanceolate or narrowly obovate, 1.1~1.5 mm long, with thick papillae, the apex is slightly tapering, with the short beak; tassels are dirty-white, 6~7 mm long, easy to fall off; the flowering period is from July to August, and the fruiting period is from August to September.
Ecological environment: Epilobium subcoriaceum Hausskn grows on gravels along both sides of streams in mountainous areas, lakeside, and wet places on barren slopes, in the area with the altitude of 2,400~3,700 meters, the plant is endemic to China, it grows in the west, west south, and Tibet of China.
(32).Epilobium kingdonii Raven.
Botanical description: Epilobium kingdonii Raven is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, it is commonly known as Nanous willow herb.
Epilobium kingdonii Raven is a perennial dwarf herb, often loosely clustered, with succulent root suckers grow from the ground at the base of the stem, with inconspicuous scale leaves at the base of the stem in the following year; stems are 8~25 cm high, ascending, unbranched, pubescent on the upper part, and pubescent on the lower part with 2 distinct ridges, on which there are curly pubescent hairs, and the rest are glabrous; the leaves are opposite, ovate, equal to or slightly longer than the internodes, 0.8~2.7 cm long, 0.4~1.6 cm wide, the apex is sharp, the base is cuneate, shallowly serrate, lateral veins 3-5 pairs, sparsely pubescent on veins and margins; sessile.
The inflorescence has several flowers, covered with pilose and glandular hairs; the flowers are nearly upright, the pedicels are 0.4~1 cm long; there is a ring of long hairs at the throat of the flower tube; the sepals are lanceolate-oblong, 4~5 mm long, mixed with glands hairs and curly hairs; petals are rose-purple, obcordate, 7~8 mm long, apex concave; the ovary is 1.4~1.8 cm long, covered with curly hairs and glandular hairs; style near the base is covered by sparsely white hairs, stigma capitate, surrounded by outer anthers; capsular fruit is 3.5~5.5 cm long, nearly glabrous; fruit stalk is 0.4~1.2 cm long; seeds are narrowly obovate, 1.4~1.6 mm long, with tiny papillae; apex with short beaks; tassels are dirty-white, 5~7 mm long, and fall off easily.
Ecological environment: Epilobium kingdonii Raven grows in river valleys, grasslands beside streams and ditches, and wet shrubs, in areas with an altitude of 3,300~3,700 meters, the plant is endemic to China, it grows in west south, the upper reaches of the Yangtze river, and southeastern Tibet of China.
(33).Epilobium ciliatum Raf.
Botanical description: Epilobium ciliatum Raf is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family. Its synonyms are Epilobium maximowiczii, Epilobium glandulosum, Epilobium punctatum, Epilobium glandulosum var. kurilense, Epilobium glandulosum var. asiaticum, Epilobium kurilense, etc.
Epilobium ciliatum Raf is a perennial herb, rosette-like buds grow from the base of the stem, sparsely with fleshy scales, and root suckers grow from under the ground; stems grow up to 0.9~1.5 meters, severally branched, pubescent and glandular hairs, the lower part gradually glabrous and often with a hairy ridgeline, the base without persistent scale leaves; leaves are opposite, lanceolate or narrowly ovate, 2.5~6 or 7 cm long, the apex is sharp or almost tapering, the base is rounded, sparsely subcordate, the margin is serrated, 5~8 pairs of lateral veins, pubescent on veins and margins; petiole is 1~3 mm long, leaves are sessile on the upper part of the stem;
The inflorescence is covered with curly and glandular hairs; flowers are upright, pedicels are 2~5 mm long; flower tube throat has a ring of sparse hairs; sepals are lanceolate-oblong, keel-shaped, 2.4~3.5 mm, covered with curly hairs and glands hair; petals are pink or rose-purple, dilute-white, oblong-obovate, apex concave; the ovary is densely pubescent and with glandular hairs, style is glabrous, stigma is clavate or cylindrical, surrounded by outer anthers when flowering;
Capsular fruit is 4.5~7 cm long, sparsely curvaceous and glandular hairs; fruit stalk is 0.5~0.8 or 1.4 cm long; seeds are narrowly obovate or oblong-elliptic, 0.8~1.2 mm long, with longitudinal ridges arranged papillae; there is beak at the top; tassels are white, 6~8 mm long, easy to fall off; it's flowering period is from July to August or September, fruiting from August to October.
Ecological environment: Epilobium ciliatum Raf grows beside creeks, riverbeds, beaches, springs, grass slopes, and other wet places, in areas with an altitude of 700~2,100 meters, in China, it grows in the northeast area, the plant also grows in Far East Asia, northeast Asia, in North America it is widely distributed in Alaska and western mountainous areas of USA (the United States of America), Canada, Greenland, Mexico and Guatemala in Central America, and Chile and Argentina in South America.
(1).Epilobium angustifolium L.
Botanical description: The Epilobium Angustifolium. is a plant of the Epilobium L. genus, Chamerion group, Onagraceae family, it is also known as Chamerion angustifolium, large leaf willow herb, fireweed, rosebay willowherb, etc.
The Epilobium Angustifolium is a stout herbaceous plant, upright and clustered, the rhizome is widely creeping on the topsoil, it grows up to 2 meters long, lignified, strong overwintering roots grow from the base of the stem. Stems are up to 130 cm tall, branches are cylindrical, glabrous, lower part somewhat is lignified, leaves are alternate spirally, sparsely opposite to the base, sessile, leaves are lanceolate, oblong to obovate, linear-lanceolate or narrowly lanceolate, glabrous on both sides, the margin is nearly entire or sparsely dentate, slightly retrorse, lateral veins are often inconspicuous, racemes, upright and glabrous;
The lower bracts are leaflike, the upper ones are very small, triangular-lanceolate, the buds are inverted egg-shaped, the ovary is pink or purplish red, the floral tubes are missing, the sepals are purplish red, oblong-lanceolate, and the anthers are oblong, red at the initial stage, which turns purplish-red when cracking, resulting in bluish pollen. Pollen grains are often 3 holes, the flowers fold strongly when they bloom, and then stand upright, with white stigma and oblong-lanceolate lobes. Seeds are narrowly obovate, brown, with a nearly smooth surface but irregular fine reticulate pattern; offwhite, not easy to fall off. Its flowering period is from June to September and bears fruit from August to October.
Ecological environment: Epilobium angustifolium grows widely in the north temperate zone and frigid zone, Europe, Asia Minor, East Himalaya, Caucasus, Siberia, East Mongolia, Korean Peninsula, and North America. In China, it grows in the northwest, north, northeast, southwest, and other regions.
Growth characteristics: Epilobium angustifolium is naturally found on the forest edge, forest, hillside grass, alpine meadows, river beaches and gravel slopes, riparian grass, burned areas, or cut-off land at high altitudes. The plant is cold-resistant, likes a cool and humid climate, and moist, fertile, and well-drained soil, the plant is slightly shade-tolerant. Afraid of a hot and dry environment.
Ornamental Uses: Fireweed flowers grow up and have beautiful colors, so it is an ideal summer flower plant. Its underground roots have strong growth ability, easy to form large groups, and are spectacular when they bloom. It grows into a tall plant, which is very suitable for the background material of the flower border. Fireweed flower can be used in flower arrangements, and it is also beautiful.
(2).Epilobium conspersum Hausskn.
Botanical description: Epilobium conspersum Hausskn is classified in Sect. Chamaenerion Tausch, the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, is commonly known as Reticulated willow herb. Its synonyms are Epilobium conspersum, Epilobium reticulatum, Chamaenerion reticulatum, Chamaenerion conspersum.
Epilobium conspersum Hausskn is a perennial herb; short root suckers grow from the root neck in autumn, stems grow up to 1.2 meters high, pubescent; leaves are spiral alternate, the leaves in the middle and upper part of the stem are narrow oblong or elliptic-lanceolate, 4.5~11 cm long, the apex is sharp or tapering, the base is cuneate, with a few tooth convexities, the upper veins are pubescent on both surfaces, the lateral veins are obvious, 4~5 pairs, the secondary veins and the veinlets are obvious, forming a fine network; the petiole is 1~3 mm long, pubescent;
Racemes are upright, densely pubescent; bracts are leaflike, less than half of leaf, nearly membranous; flowers are pendulous; pedicels are 1.5~4 cm long; disc diameter is 3~4.5 mm; sepals are oblong, 1.1~1.5 cm long, pubescent; petals pale reddish purple, the lower 2 petals are narrower, subcordate or suborbicular, 0.8~1.4 cm long, the ovary is purple, 1~2 cm long, densely covered with gray pubescent hairs, style is purple, lower part is densely villous, stigma is 4-parted;
Capsular fruit is 2.5~7.5 cm long, densely pubescent; fruit stalk is 1.5~5 cm long; seeds are obovate-oblong, 1~1.2 mm long, with scaly papillae or inconspicuous reticulate, the apex is beaked; The tassels are 1~1.2 cm long, yellowish-brown, not easy to fall off; the flowering period is from July to September, and the fruiting period is from September to October.
Epilobium conspersum Hausskn is closely related to Epilobium speciosum Decne and Epilobium angustifolium L.
Ecological environment: Epilobium conspersum Hausskn grows in wet sandy land or stony gravel on mountain valley wetlands or open hillsides, in areas with an altitude of 3,000~4,700 meters.Epilobium conspersum Hausskn is a species of the China-Himalayan flora, it grows in the upper reaches of the Yangtze river, west south and southern Tibet of China; The plant also grows in Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan.
(3).Epilobium latifolium L.
Botanical description: Epilobium latifolium L is classified in Sect. Chamaenerion Tausch, the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, its full Latin name is Chamerion latifolium (L.) Fries et Lange, is commonly known as Wide-leaf willow herb. Its synonyms are Epilobium latifolium, Chamaenerion latifolium, Epilobium changaicum, Epilobium kesamitsui.
Epilobium latifolium is a perennial herb, upright, often clumps; rhizomes are 0.4~1 cm thick, more or less lignified, succulent overwintering root suckers grow from the root neck; leaves are spiral alternate or sometimes opposite at the lower part of the stem, the lowermost leaves are tiny, submembranous, brown, triangular-ovate, middle and upper leaves are subleathery, elliptic or ovate to elliptic-lanceolate, 2~5 or 8 cm long, 0.6~1.7 or 2.6 cm wide, the apex is obtuse or shortly tapering, the base is cuneate or sometimes subobtusely rounded, the margin is entire-edge to 4~7 sparse denticles on each side, pale green on both surfaces, subglabrous or pubescent on veins, lateral veins are inconspicuous, 3~4 on each side; petiole is absent or only 1~2 mm long;
Stems are 15~45 cm high, 1.5~5 mm thick, unbranched or with few branches, glabrous, sometimes the upper part of the stem especially rachis is pubescent;
Flowers are upright at buds, drooping one by one before flowering; flower buds are oblong-obovoid, 1~1.7 cm long, 5~7 mm in diameter, the apex is sharp; the ovary is purple, 1~1.7 cm long, densely covered with grayish-white pubescent hairs; Pedicel is 0.7~2 cm long, the flower tube is missing, the disc is 0.5~1 mm deep, 3~4 mm diameter; sepals are oblong-lanceolate, 1~1.6 cm long, 1.5~3.5 mm wide, the apex is sharp, purple-red, nearly glabrous or sparsely pubescent; petals are rose-red or pink, usually slightly unequal, the lower two are narrower than the upper two, obovate or oblong-obovate, 1~2.4 cm long, 0.7~1.5 cm wide, the apex is rounded, scarce; anthers are oblong or elliptic-oblong, 1.2~4 mm long, filaments are nearly equal, 6~11 mm long; style is 3.5~8 mm long, strongly reflexed, glabrous; stigma is white, 4-parted, lobes are 2~3.5 mm long, with papillae on the upper surface, curved outwards when flowering.
Capsular fruit is 2.5~8 cm long; fruit pedicel is 1.2~2.5 cm long; seeds are often prismatic, 1.2~2.1 mm long, 0.4~0.6 mm in diameter, the apex is with a short beak, the surface is nearly smooth, but with inconspicuous and irregular nets pattern; tassels are 9~15 mm long, yellowish-brown or gray, difficult to fall off; its flowering period is from June to August, fruiting from August to October.
Ecological environment: Epilobium latifolium grows in glacier alluvial soil in river valleys, sandy land, or grassland beside rivers in alpine areas, sometimes extending to the snow-line flowing rocky beach, in areas with the altitude of 1,600~5,200 meters; In China, the plant grows in northern Qinghai, Altai, Tianshan and Pamir regions of Xinjiang, northwestern Yunnan and northeastern Tibet. The plant also widely grows in Kamchatka in Asia, eastern Siberia, Altai, and Tianshan regions, Kashmir in the Western Himalayas, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Northern Europe, and northern to western North America.
(4).Epilobium speciosum Decne.
Botanical description: Epilobium speciosum Decne is classified in Sect. Chamaenerion Tausch, the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, its full Latin name is Chamerion speciosum (Decaisne) Holub, is commonly known as Himalayan willow herb. Its synonyms are Epilobium speciosum, Epilobium latifolium subsp. speciosum.
Epilobium speciosum Decne is a perennial upright herb, clumps; rhizomes are stout, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, somewhat lignified, and overwintering fleshy root suckers grow from the root neck. Unbranched or branched at the upper part, densely pubescent around. Leaves are spiral alternate.
Racemes are upright, densely pubescent; bracts are leaflike; buds are oblong obovoid; the ovary is purple; pedicels are 0.8~2.8 cm long; petals are purple or red, nearly round or round-oblong.
Seeds are narrowly obovate, tapering at the top, with short beaks, with irregular and inconspicuous reticulations on the surface. The flowering period is from August to September; the fruiting period is from September to October.
The difference between Epilobium speciosum Decne and Epilobium latifolium: the plant height is 25~45 cm; the secondary veins are not obvious; the sepals are 1.5~2 cm long; the petals are 1.7~2.5 cm long; the fruit stalk is 1~3 cm long.
Ecological environment: Epilobium speciosum Decne grows in sandy under the foot of the flowing rock slope or the wet place of stony gravel, at an altitude of 3,900~4,500 meters above sea level. The plant grows in the eastern and west areas of Tibet, the plant also grows in Nepal to Kashmir, and it is endemic to the Himalayas.
Characters of herbs: Epilobium herb is the above-ground part of Epilobium parviflorum and other small-blossomed Epilobium species. The herb is dried in the open air in the shade. The root of Epilobium hirsutum is also used.
Willow herb has antimicrobial effects, its tincture has an anti-microbial effect against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus albus, and Staphylococcus aureus, the Epilobium hirsutum leaf preparation shows in vitro anti-microbial effect against Staphylococcus aureus, a fraction of willow herb preparation showed a tumor-inhibiting effect on transplanted tumors in lab animals, its component oenothein B has been found to exhibit potent anti-tumor properties. Epilobium angustifolium leaf preparations have an anti-inflammatory effect, the component Myricetin 3-0-glucuronide has been identified as one of the anti-inflammatory components, a special ellagitannin, oenothein B, is present in the plant and appears to be an active anti-inflammatory component too, its water decoction has an inhibition effect on causality anger. Epilobium herb is a radical scavenger, it has effective activities as hydrogen donors and primary antioxidants to react with lipid radicals, the herb contains various kinds of phenolic components, polyphenols, and flavonoids (quercitrin, rutin, isoquercitrin, isomyricitrin and myricitrin), these components have strong anti-oxidant activity. Epilobium parviflorum Schreber contains some components named macrocyclic ellagitannins, Oenothein A and Oenothein B, these ellagitannins have a strong inhibition effect on 5-Alpha-reductase.
Medicinal efficacy: Traditionally, Epilobium herb or willow herb was used for prostate disorders, relieves discomfort and pain of kidney and bladder problems, as a tea for gastrointestinal and bronchial problems, externally for burns and other skin conditions. Epilobium parviflorum has been used for a long time for the treatment of various prostate symptoms, like prostate adenoma and associated disorders,
In TCM works, the herb Epilobium hirsutum herb is recorded to clear heat and detoxification, remove dampness through diuresis, relieve diarrhea, aid digestion and regulate Qi, invigorate the circulation of blood, and set a fracture. It is indicated for diarrhea and dysentery of dampness and heat pathogen, food retention or dyspepsia, abdominal distension pain, odontalgia or toothache, irregular menses, amenia, and morbid leukorrhea, fracture from falling injury, sore swelling, burn and scald, scabies, etc.
The herb Epilobium parviflorum Schreber is recorded functions dissipate wind and relieve cough, clear heat, and stop diarrhea. It is indicated for cold fever, cough, summer heat and watery diarrhea, malignant boil and furuncle, pyogenic infections, etc. Dosage recommended internally is 10~30 grams, as water decoction, externally proper amount, mashed the herb and apply a coating.
The herb Epilobium wallichianum Hausskn is recorded functions regulating Qi and eliminating swelling, inducing diuresis to alleviate edema, detoxification, and collecting sores. It is indicated for irregular menstruation, edema, fire burn and scald, etc.
The herb Epilobium angustifolium is recorded with functions to clear dampness and promote diuresis, regulate Qi and eliminate swelling, promoting blood circulation to restore menstrual flow. It is indicated for edema, diarrhea, food retention and distension fullness, irregular menstruation, alactation, swelling of the scrotum, skin ulcers and herpes with itch and pains, etc.
The herb Epilobium palustre is recorded with functions to clear heat, dispel wind, relieve cough, and stop diarrhea. It is indicated for cough due to wind-heat pathogen, hoarseness, swelling and pain in the throat, bronchitis, diarrhea with ardent fever, etc.
Administration of Epilobium Herb(willow herb):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Epilobium Herb(willow herb)
Herbal classic books and TCM Books:
The herb is normally available as a tea, but the dosage is different, according to TCM works, different dosages are recommended:
Herb of Epilobium hirsutum, internally use as a water decoction, the recommended dosage is 6~15 grams, as water decoction, or extract juice from fresh herb. Externally: proper amount, mashed the herb and apply a coating, or apply to smear.
Herb of Epilobium parviflorum Schreber., internally use as a water decoction, the recommended dosage is 10~30 grams, externally proper amount, mashed the herb and apply a coating.
Herb of Epilobium wallichianum Hausskn., internally use as a water decoction, the recommended dosage is 6~15 grams, as water decoction, externally proper amount, mashed the herb and apply a coating, or extract juice and smear.
Herb of Epilobium angustifolium., internally use as a water decoction, the recommended dosage is 15~30 grams, as water decoction, externally proper amount, mashed the herb and apply a coating.
Herb of Epilobium palustre., internally use as a water decoction, the recommended dosage is 9~18 grams.
Contraindications, Precautions and Adverse Reactions: Health risks or side effects following the proper administration of therapeutic dosages are not recorded.
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1.Introduction of Epilobium Herb:willow herb or blooming sally.
✵The article gives records of the herb Epilobium Herb, its English name, Latin name, common names, property and flavor, its botanical source five plant species, ①.Epilobium hirsutum L., ②.Epilobium parviflorum Schreber., ③.Epilobium wallichianum Hausskn., ④.Epilobium angustifolium L., ⑤.Epilobium palustre L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these five plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these five plant species, the features of the herb Epilobium Herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
English Name: Epilobium Herb.
Flowers are upright with oval buds, 4.5~9 mm long and 2.5-5 mm in diameter; Ovary is grayish green to purple, 2~5 cm long, densely covered with villous and short glandular hairs, sometimes mainly glandular hairs, or sparsely woolly hairs without glandular hairs; Pedicel is 0.3~1.5 cm long; The floral tube is 1.3~2 mm in length and 2~3 mm in diameter, with a circle of long white hairs at the throat; Sepals are oblong and linear, 6~12 mm long and 1~2 mm wide, and their backs are raised into carinate, with hairs like those hairs on the ovary; Petals are usually rose-red, or pink to purplish red, wide and inverted heart-shaped, 9~20 mm long, 7~15 mm wide, a concave is on the apex, 1~2 mm deep; The anthers are milky yellow, oblong, 1.5~2.5 mm long and 0.6~1 mm wide; The length of the outer filament wheel is 5~10 mm, and the length of the inner filament wheel is 3~6 mm; Style is upright, 5~12 mm long, white or pink, glabrous, sparsely villous; Stigma is white, 4-parted, lobes are oblong, 2~3.5 mm long, upright at first, gamophyllous, spreading during blooming, soon bent down, glabrous or sparsely hairy outside, slightly longer than stamens.
The capsularfruit is 2.5~9 cm long, with the same hairs as hairs on the ovary; The fruit stalk is 0.5~2 cm long. The seeds are inverted egg-shaped, 0.8~1.2 mm long, 0.35~0.6 mm in diameter, with a short beak at the top, dark brown, and rough papillae on the surface; The tassel is 7~10 mm long, yellow-brown or off-white, and easy to fall off. Its flowering period is from June to August and fruiting from July to September.
Ecological environment: Epilobium hirsutum widely spreads in Eurasia continent and temperate Africa, east to northeast Asia, and the Far East, Siberia and Himalayas, west to Asia Minor, Scandinavia, and northern Africa, it grows wildly and is cultivated in North America, in China it grows in temperate and tropical regions, grows at the area with an altitude of 150~2,000 meters in the north of the Yellow River Basin, and in the southwest at the area with an altitude of 180~2,800 meters in valleys, sand or gravel fields in stream beds, sunny and wet places along ditches and lakeside, and also in shrubs, barren slopes and roadsides, the plant often grows in patches.
Botanical description: Epilobium parviflorum Schreber is commonly known as small flower willow herb, hoary willow herb, etc. Epilobium parviflorum Schreber is a perennial stout herbaceous plant, it is upright, rosette-shaped leaf buds that grow from the base of the stem in autumn. Stems are 18~100 cm long, 3~10 mm thick, often branched at the upper part, mixed with long villous hairs and short glandular hairs at the periphery, gray villous hairs stretched at the lower part, and the downward ridge of the petiole is more or less obvious. Leaves are opposite, alternate at the upper part of the stem, narrowly lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 3~12 cm long and 0.5~2.5 cm wide, the apex is tapering, the base is round, there are 15~60 unequal fine teeth on each side of the margin, both sides are villous, 4~8 lateral veins on each side; Petiole is nearly absent or 1~3 mm long.
Racemes are upright, often branched; Bracts are leaflike. The flowers are upright, the buds are oblong and obovoid, 3~5 mm long and 2~3 mm in diameter; Ovary is 1~4 cm long, densely covered with upright short glandular hairs, sometimes mixed with a few villous hairs; Pedicel is 0.3~1 cm long; The length of the floral tube is 1~1.9 mm, the diameter is 1.3~2.5 mm, and there is a circle of long hair at the throat part; Sepals are narrowly lanceolate, 2.5~6 mm long, with carinate ridges on the back, covered with glandular hairs and villous hairs; Petals are pink to fresh rose-purple, pale white, wide obovate, 4~8.5 mm long, 3~4.5 mm wide, and 1~3.5 mm deep at the apex; Stamens are oblong, 0.5~1.3 mm long, 0.35~0.6 mm in diameter, the outer filament wheel is 2.6~6 mm long, the inner filament wheel is 1.2~3.5 mm long; Style is upright and 2.6-6 mm long, white to pink, glabrous; Stigma is deeply 4-parted, lobes are oblong, 1~1.8 mm long, upright at first, bent back later, nearly as long as stamens.
Ecological environment: Epilobium parviflorum grows on hillsides, watersides, or roadsides at the area with an altitude of 800~2000 meters. Epilobium parviflorum spreads in Asia, Europe, and other places. In China, it grows in the northwest, north area, and the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River. In Asia, it spread as from China to Western Asia, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Nepal, Pakistan. In Europe, it spread as to Northern Europe: Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, Middle Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, East Europe: Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Southeastern Europe: Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Malta, Romania, Yugoslavia. Southwestern Europe: France, Portugal, Spain. In Africa, it spread to Macaronesia: Azores, Madeira Islands, Canary Islands, Northern Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia.
Botanical description: The Epilobium wallichianum Hausskn., is a plant of the Epilobium L. genus, Onagraceae family (evening primrose family), it is commonly known as big flower willow herb, thin-leaf willow herb, etc. Its synonyms are Epilobium mairei, Epilobium tanguticum, Epilobium sykesii, Epilobium duclouxii, Epilobium souliei, Epilobium wallichianum subsp. souliei, etc.
Inflorescence is pendulous to suberect. Flowers are nearly upright; Buds are ovoid, 4~7 mm long; Ovary is 1.8~2.1 cm long, mixed with villous and glandular hairs; The flower stalk is 1~3 mm long; The length of the floral tube is 1~1.5 mm, the diameter is 1.8~3 mm, and the throat has a ring of white hairs; Sepals are nearly lanceolate, 4~7.5 mm long, 1~1.8 mm wide, covered with villous and glandular-hairy; Petals are fresh rose-purple, wide obovate to reversed cardioid, 7~16 mm long, 4~9 mm wide and the concave at the apex is 1.5~3 mm deep; Anthers are 0.8~1.1 mm long and 0.4~0.5 mm in diameter; The length of the outer filament wheel is 4.5~6.6 mm, and the length of the inner filament wheel is 0.3~5 mm; Style is upright, 4~9.5 mm long; Stigma is nearly capitate, 1.9~2.5 mm long and 1.6~3 mm in diameter. When flowering, it surrounds the outer anther or protrudes from the anther.
Ecological environment: Epilobium wallichianum Hausskn grows in wet places of gravel in valleys and gullies in mountainous areas, forests, shrubs, bamboo bushes, or wetlands along ditches, with an altitude of 1,800-3,000 meters. The plant grows in the Tianshan area of Kyrgyzstan, western Tianshan of Xinjiang, northwest, and southwest China, along the Himalayas, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sikkim, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan in the western Himalayas. The above-ground parts are harvested in summer and autumn, drying in the sun or fresh use.
Botanical description: Epilobium kermodei Raven is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, its full name is Epilobium kermodei P.H. Raven, and it is commonly known as Sawtooth-leaf willow herb.
Botanical description: Epilobium palustre is a perennial upright herbaceous plant, slender creeping branches grow from under the base of the stem, 5~50 cm long, with pairs of leaves on sparse nodes, terminal fleshy scaly buds, and the scale leaf turn brown the following year, and the stem grows from the base. The stem is 5~15 cm high, 0.5~5.5 mm thick, unbranched or branched, sometimes there are degenerated branches in the axils of the middle leaves, which are cylindrical and have no ridgelines, the periphery is covered with curly pilose, sometimes the lower part is nearly glabrous. Leaves are opposite, or alternate on inflorescence, nearly linear to narrowly lanceolate, 1.2~7 cm long, 0.3~1.9 cm wide, the apex is sharp or tapering, sometimes slightly blunt, the base is nearly round or wedge-shaped, the margin is entire or with 5-9 inconspicuous teeth on each side, 3~5 lateral veins on each side, inconspicuous, lower veins and margin are sparsely villous or nearly glabrous; Petiole is absent or sparsely, 1~3 mm long.
Botanical description: Epilobium minutiflorum Hausskn is a perennial upright herbaceous plant, it is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family. The stem is 15~100 cm tall, 2~8 mm thick, multi-branched, sparsely unbranched, and its surroundings are densely villous, and its lower part is often nearly glabrous, sometimes with two inconspicuous ridges. Leaves are opposite, alternate on inflorescence, oblong-lanceolate to narrowly ovate, 2~7 cm long and 0.4~1.7 cm wide, the apex is nearly blunt or sharp, the base is cuneate or nearly round, margin with 20-41 sawteeth on each side, lateral veins with 4-7 sawteeth on each side, raised, villous on veins and margin, and other parts are glabrous; Petiole is 1~6 mm long, the upper part is proximal subsessile.
The capsular fruit is 3~8 cm long, and is covered with sparsely curved pilose or glabrous; The fruit stalk is 0.5~2 cm long. The seeds are narrowly obovate, 0.8~1.2 mm long and 0.38~0.48 mm in diameter, with a long transparent beak at the top, the surface is brown and has fine papillae; The tassel is white, 5~7 mm long, and easy to fall off. Its flowering period is from June to August and fruiting from July to October. For its seed are thin, it is also known as the Thin-seed willow herb.
Botanical description: Epilobium sinense is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, its latin name is Epilobium sinense Lévl., it is also known as the Chinese willow herb. Epilobium sinense Lévl is an endemic species of China.
Botanical description: Epilobium sikkimense Hausskn is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family., it is also known as the brown-scales willow herb or Asia-east willow herb. The synonyms are Epilobium alsinifolium, Epilobium squamosum, Epilobium trilectorum, Epilobium soboliferum, Epilobium sikkimense subsp. ludlowianum.
The inflorescence is often pendulous, beginning with bracts dense at the top of the stem; Upright or pendulous in bud; the pedicel length is 0.5~0.8 cm; The throat of the flower tube has a ring of long hair; Sepals are oblong-lanceolate, keel-like, 5.5~8 mm long; Petals are pink or rose-purple, wide obcordate or obovate, 0.7~1.4 cm long, concave apex; Ovary is 1.5~3.5 cm long, with curly pilose and glandular hairs. The style is usually sparsely spread with white hairs near the base, the stigma is head-shaped, and outer anthers surround it when it blooms.
Ecological environment: Epilobium sikkimense Hausskn grows in grasslands, valleys, gravel fields in high mountain areas, and wet places of gravel fields on the outer edge of glaciers, in the area with an altitude of 2,400~4,700 meters above sea level; in China, it grows in the west, west south, the plant also grows in South Asia, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, and northern Pakistan, etc.
Botanical description: Epilobium royleanum Hausskn is classified in the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family., it is also known as short-stalk willow herb. The synonyms are Epilobium lividum, Epilobium himalayense, Epilobium royleanum f. glandulosum, Epilobium royleanum f. glabrum, Epilobium roseum var. indicum, Epilobium roseum var. dalhousieanum.
Botanical description: The Epilobium Angustifolium. is a plant of the Epilobium L. genus, Chamerion group, Onagraceae family, it is also known as Chamerion angustifolium, large leaf willow herb, fireweed, rosebay willowherb, etc.
The lower bracts are leaflike, the upper ones are very small, triangular-lanceolate, the buds are inverted egg-shaped, the ovary is pink or purplish red, the floral tubes are missing, the sepals are purplish red, oblong-lanceolate, and the anthers are oblong, red at the initial stage, which turns purplish-red when cracking, resulting in bluish pollen. Pollen grains are often 3 holes, the flowers fold strongly when they bloom, and then stand upright, with white stigma and oblong-lanceolate lobes. Seeds are narrowly obovate, brown, with a nearly smooth surface but irregular fine reticulate pattern; offwhite, not easy to fall off. Its flowering period is from June to September and bears fruit from August to October.
Ecological environment: Epilobium angustifolium grows widely in the north temperate zone and frigid zone, Europe, Asia Minor, East Himalaya, Caucasus, Siberia, East Mongolia, Korean Peninsula, and North America. In China, it grows in the northwest, north, northeast, southwest, and other regions.
Botanical description: Epilobium latifolium L is classified in Sect. Chamaenerion Tausch, the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, its full Latin name is Chamerion latifolium (L.) Fries et Lange, is commonly known as Wide-leaf willow herb. Its synonyms are Epilobium latifolium, Chamaenerion latifolium, Epilobium changaicum, Epilobium kesamitsui.
Flowers are upright at buds, drooping one by one before flowering; flower buds are oblong-obovoid, 1~1.7 cm long, 5~7 mm in diameter, the apex is sharp; the ovary is purple, 1~1.7 cm long, densely covered with grayish-white pubescent hairs; Pedicel is 0.7~2 cm long, the flower tube is missing, the disc is 0.5~1 mm deep, 3~4 mm diameter; sepals are oblong-lanceolate, 1~1.6 cm long, 1.5~3.5 mm wide, the apex is sharp, purple-red, nearly glabrous or sparsely pubescent; petals are rose-red or pink, usually slightly unequal, the lower two are narrower than the upper two, obovate or oblong-obovate, 1~2.4 cm long, 0.7~1.5 cm wide, the apex is rounded, scarce; anthers are oblong or elliptic-oblong, 1.2~4 mm long, filaments are nearly equal, 6~11 mm long; style is 3.5~8 mm long, strongly reflexed, glabrous; stigma is white, 4-parted, lobes are 2~3.5 mm long, with papillae on the upper surface, curved outwards when flowering.
Botanical description: Epilobium speciosum Decne is classified in Sect. Chamaenerion Tausch, the Epilobium genus, of the Onagraceae family, its full Latin name is Chamerion speciosum (Decaisne) Holub, is commonly known as Himalayan willow herb. Its synonyms are Epilobium speciosum, Epilobium latifolium subsp. speciosum.
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