This plant was first noticed as an introduction around the turn of the century since which time it has spread to many hilly places in the British Isles. It is one of the easiest of the Willowherbs to identify because it looks so different from the others. The flowers often open only partly to a cup shape and need strong sunshine to open flat looking much less pink when they do. The leaves are very similar to Anagallis tenella (Bog Pimpernel): flat to the ground and with round pinnate leaflets. The long fruits from this prostrate plant are typical of willowherbs.

E. brunnescens is found amongst all the hills of northern England, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, much of Ireland excluding the central flat parts but is not found much in the more basic lowland soils of central and southern England.

Epilobium brunnescens New Zealand Willowherb Langden Valley, Trough of Bowland, 18th July 2013 Previous   Next	Epilobium brunnescens New Zealand Willowherb Langden Valley, Trough of Bowland, 18th July 2013 Previous   Next
Epilobium brunnescens New Zealand Willowherb open flowers	Epilobium brunnescens New Zealand Willowherb whole plant

College Valley, Cheviots, 7th July 2006

Added on October 25th 2005, updated 29th December 2008, updated 29th March 2010, updated 21st July 2013