Rosebay Willowherb
Epilobium angustifolium — Onagraceae
Italiano: Garofanino palustre — Epilobio
Description
Rosebay Willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium) belongs to the Onagraceae family and is native to Europe. It thrives in Burnt areas, Clearings, Forest edges, Roadsides environments across regions including Scandinavia, UK, Alps, Balkans, Canada. Botanically, Rosebay Willowherb is tall purple fireweed. Leaves fermented tea. Flowers salad. Shoots cooked.. It is also known locally as Epilobio. The edible parts include Flowers, Leaves, Shoots. With an edibility rating of 6/10, it ranks as a good wild food source. Harvesting is best done during August, July and June. Nutritionally, Rosebay Willowherb stands out for its Vitamin C (20.0mg, 22% DV), Vitamin K (20.0mg, 17% DV) and Vitamin A (30.0mg, 3% DV). It also provides 1.0g protein and 1.5g dietary fiber per 100g serving. In the kitchen, Rosebay Willowherb offers a Mild sweet flavor profile. Leaves fermented tea flowers raw shoots. Common culinary applications include fermented tea, flower salad, shoots cooked. Popular preparations include Fireweed tea, Fireweed salad, Fireweed shoot, Sauteed greens with garlic. For storage, dried 12mo. Safety note: No toxicity. Antinutrient content is tannins mild. Always verify identification with at least three independent botanical sources before consumption.
🌿 Foraging Tips
🍳 Recipe: Fireweed tea
This is one of the traditional ways to prepare this wild edible plant. Always ensure proper plant identification before cooking.
Edibility
Harvest Calendar
Nutrition (per 100g)
Culinary Uses: fermented tea, flower salad, shoots cooked Storage: Dried 12mo
Recipes
- Fireweed tea
- Fireweed salad
- Fireweed shoot
- Sauteed greens with garlic
- Wild green pesto
- Leafy green soup
- Wild winter pesto made from Rosebay Willowherb
- Traditional Rosebay Willowherb soup
