fireweed

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noun fire·weed \ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌwēd\

Definition of fireweed

: any of several plants that grow especially in clearings or burned districts: such asa : a weedy annual composite (Erechtites hieraciifolia synonym E. hieraciifolius) of eastern North America having flower heads of whitish tubular disk flowers enveloped by green bractsb : a tall perennial (Epilobium angustifolium) of the evening-primrose family that has long spikes of pinkish-purple flowers and is an important honey plant in some areas —called also willow herb

Recent Examples of fireweed from the Web

Meanwhile mountain bouquets of aster, fireweed, lupine and glacier lily enthrall at every turn.

— hotel bellwether, The Seattle Times, "4 Bellingham hikes: Water, wildflowers, rainforest and raptors", 30 May 2017

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

Did You Know?

This is a perennial wildflower of the evening primrose family. Its spikes of whitish to magenta flowers, which grow up to 5 ft (1.5 m) high, are a spectacular sight on prairies of the temperate zone. Its seeds can lie dormant for many years, awaiting the warmth necessary for germination. Fireweed is one of the first plants to appear after a forest or brush fire; it also rapidly covers scrub or woodland areas that have been cleared by machine. It has limited use in wild gardens, where it must be carefully checked and confined.