A type of willowherb, a tall shrub that grows bright reddish pink flowers on a tall stem, also with a reddish hue. This plant takes its name 'fire-weed' from its ability to grow quickly and colonise ashen soils, so that burned areas can quickly become overgrown with the reddish stems and purplish flowers of the plant. This explains the fact that it was found growing abundantly in the Bonfire Glade, the site of a great bonfire made by the Bucklanders within the fringes of the Old Forest.
Notes
1 |
Fire-weed is sometimes classified in the related genus Epilobium, notably by Hammond and Scull in The Lord of the Rings Reader's Companion, though more recent sources tend to prefer Chamaenerion over Epilobium (and over the alternative Chamerion).
|
Indexes:
About this entry:
- Updated 27 September 2024
- This entry is complete
For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.
Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2017, 2024. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.
SHARE
