Wildflower of the valley
River beauty
Epilobium latifolium
- How easy to find
- Easy to see — you will see it easily on the trail
- Flower size
- Medium
- Family
- Onagraceae (Evening primrose family)
- Type
- Perennial
- Height
- 25–70 cm
- Flower colour
- Rose-purple or dark pink to pale pink
- Flowering
- July to October
About River beauty
The name epilobium is derived from a Greek word Epi means upon and Lobos means pods or capsules. It refers flowers and capsules appear together and corolla borne at end of the ovary. Latifolium refers wide leaves in the flower name. Epilobium latifolium is a PERENNIAL growing from 25 to 70 cm high. Leaves are elliptic-lanncolate at the base and dentidulate along margins. . Flowers are rose-purple or dark pink to pale pink in color.
Where to find it
- In the middle of the valley
- In the deeper parts of the valley
Habitat
Near meadows and streams.
Uses & folklore
The entire plant is used in Tibetan medicine. It have a bitter taste and a cooling potency. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, , antirheumatic, antidote and febrifuge. It is also used in the treatment of fever and inflammation plus itching pimples.
What the name means
Epilobium is Greek epi (upon) + lobos (pod) — flower borne atop the seed pod; latifolium means "broad-leaved".
Don't confuse it with
Epilobium laxum (sno 89) has looser flowers on longer stalks; E. latifolium is showier with broader pink petals.
