Epilobium fleischeri

Epilobium fleischeri
Epilobium fleischeri
Flowers of Epilobium fleischeri
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
(unranked): Eudicots
Order: Myrtales
Family: Onagraceae
Genus: Epilobium
Species: E. fleischeri
Binomial name
Epilobium fleischeri
Hochst.

Epilobium fleischeri, commonly known as Alpine Willowherb, is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Onagraceae family.

Contents

Description

Close-up on a flower of Epilobium fleischeri

The biological form of Epilobium fleischeri is hemicryptophyte scapose,[1] as its overwintering buds are situated just below the soil surface and the floral axis is more or less erect with a few leaves. This plant reaches on average 10–40 centimetres (3.9–16 in) in height. The stem is erect and the leaves are usually glabrous and toothed.[1] This plant is quite similar to Epilobium dodonaei, but the last one can reach even a meter in height and has bristly leaves.[1]

Epilobium fleischeri has fragrant flowers with four pointed thin dark purple sepals and four bright pink ovate petals. Flowering occurs from late June to August.[1] Its powerful underground roots contains anthocyanin, a substance antifreeze, that allows this plant to survive in its inhospitable habitat.

Distribution

This plant is an endemism occurring in the Alps and the Jura, in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.


Habitat

It grows in clusters on moraines, in glaciers, among piles of stones and in alluvial deposits. It prefers siliceous soils, at an altitude of 600–2,700 metres (2,000–8,900 ft) above sea level.[1]

Gallery

  • Plants of Epilobium fleischeri

  • Plant of Epilobium fleischeri

  • Flowers of Epilobium fleischeri

  • Close-up on flower of Epilobium fleischeri

  • Leaves of Epilobium fleischeri

Synonyms

[2] [3] [4]

  • Chamaenerion denticulatum Schur nom. illeg.
  • Chamaenerion fleischeri (Hochst.) Fritsch
  • Epilobium crassifolium Lehm.
  • Epilobium denticulatum Wenderoth
  • Epilobium dodonaei f. stenophyllum Haussknecht
  • Epilobium dodonaei f. platyphyllum Haussknecht
  • Epilobium dodonaei proles fleischeri (Hochst.) Rouy & E.G.Camus
  • Epilobium dodonaei proles fleischeri var. platyphyllum (Hausskn.) Rouy & E.G.Camus
  • Epilobium dodonaei proles fleischeri var. stenophyllum (Hausskn.) Rouy & E.G.Camus
  • Epilobium dodonaei subsp. fleischeri (Hochst.) Schinz & Thell.
  • Epilobium fleischeri Hochst.
  • Epilobium rosmarinifolium subsp. fleischeri (Hochst.) Bonnier & Layens


References

  1. ^ a b c d e Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia – Edagricole – 1982. Vol. II, pag. 155
  2. ^ International Plant Names Index
  3. ^ Flore Alpes.com
  4. ^ Biolib


External links

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