Fireweed

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Alternate names
American Burnweed

Weed Description
An erect summer annual with alternate, lanceolate leaves that have toothed margins. Fireweed is primarily a weed of pastures, abandoned fields, and some agronomic crops.

Leaves
Alternate, elliptic to lanceolate in outline, approximately 2 to 8 inches long, 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches wide. Leaves have a sharp-pointed apex (acute) and margins that are irregularly toothed.

Stems
Erect, solid, usually without hairs but occasionally slightly hairy. Stems may range from 1 1/3 to 10 feet in height.

Flowers
Flowers occur in panicles at the ends of stems. Individual flower heads are 3 to 10 mm wide, and cream to pinkish in color.

Fruit
A nutlet that contains many white pappus that disperse the seed.

Identifying Characteristics
Erect plants with alternate, lanceolate leaves that have toothed margins. When mature, the feathery white seedheads are also key features of these plants.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Fireweed

Erechtites hieracifolia