fireweed

American  

[fahyuhr-weed] / ˈfaɪərˌwid /

noun

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

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fireweed British  

/ ˈfaɪəˌwiːd /

noun

1. any of various plants that appear as first vegetation in burnt-over areas, esp rosebay willowherb

2. Also called: pilewort.  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

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Etymology

Origin of fireweed

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

Example Sentences

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

Crew members then brought in native plants such as goldenrod, fireweed, broadleaf lupine, various grasses and other native species along the shore and intertidal zone, said King County ecologist Mason Bowles.

From Seattle Times

Patient, calm horses slowly step along a rock-and-soil trail lined with vibrant yellow yarrow, green sage, rustling birch trees and fierce pink-purple fireweed.

From Seattle Times

Depending on timing, you may see blooming purple heather and yellow Oregon stonecrop, scarlet paintbrush and fireweed.

From Seattle Times

On the way there I spot some fireweed growing alongside the dirt road; it’s a native wildflower that blooms from the bottom of its stalk-like flower to the top.

From New York Times