Fireweed

Chamaenerion angustifolium

Illustration: Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) magenta spikes

Identification: Tall spikes of magenta-pink flowers blooming bottom-to-top; narrow willow-like leaves; fluffy seed plumes. Colonizes burns and clearings in vast stands.

Dangerous look-alikes: No toxic look-alike with the same tall magenta spike.

Edible parts: Young spring shoots, flowers, leaves (tea).

Season and habitat: Spring (shoots), summer (flowers/leaves). Burns, clearings, roadsides.

Preparation: Young shoots like asparagus; flowers in salads and jelly; leaves fermented or dried for 'Ivan chai' (Russian fireweed tea). When fireweed blooms top-to-bottom, old-timers say summer is ending.