fireweed
Americannoun
noun
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any of various plants that appear as first vegetation in burnt-over areas, esp rosebay willowherb
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Also called: pilewort. a weedy North American plant, Erechtites hieracifolia , having small white or greenish flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)
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an Australian rainforest tree, Stenocarpus sinuatus , having whorls of bright red flowers
Etymology
Origin of fireweed
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mid-July is still springtime at this elevation and a rich palette of Indian paintbrush, creamy white daisies, magenta fireweed and blue-green grass laced the roadside.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 19, 2023
The land is dotted with dead “snags” surrounded by thick mats of crisscrossed fallen logs flanked by fireweed, a purple wildflower that thrives in the open spaces left by blazes.
From Scientific American ● Aug. 5, 2021
In his column, Lowenfels has marked the changes by the increasing possibility of growing tomatoes outdoors; by the fireweed, whose bloom no longer dependably predicted the first frost; and in the unusually mild winters.
From New York Times ● Jul. 28, 2021
Writing through his troubles, Specktor offers consolatory beauty, much as fireweed blooms on hillsides after the destruction of a forest.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2021
The windows were broken and sagging and weeds were growing up between the floorboards, and even one old rusted cookstove had fireweed springing from the firebox.
From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford
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