fireweed

[ fahyuhr-weed ]

noun

1. any of various plants appearing in recently burned clearings, as the willow herb, Epilobium angustifolium.

fireweed

/ ˈfaɪəˌwiːd /

noun

1. any of various plants that appear as first vegetation in burnt-over areas, esp rosebay willowherb
2. Also calledpilewort a weedy North American plant, Erechtites hieracifolia , having small white or greenish flowers: family Asteraceae (composites)
3. an Australian rainforest tree, Stenocarpus sinuatus , having whorls of bright red flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of fireweed¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; fire + weed ¹

Example Sentences

At peace on solid ground, I fell in love with the electric pink fireweed that popped out of nearly every opening in the trees.

From Outside Online

Summer insects danced on the air, and a flock of white butterflies fanned the mobile tips of the crimson fireweed.

From Project Gutenberg

On every side the country was bright with the purple fireweed, which had sprung up from the ashes as if by magic.

From Project Gutenberg

The fireweed, familiar everywhere in the mountains, shone like a tongue of flame against a background of green.

From Project Gutenberg

And everywhere in the burnt areas was the fireweed, that phœnix plant that springs up from the ashes of dead trees.

From Project Gutenberg

There were great fields of fireweed, which presented masses of pink.

From Project Gutenberg