| Epilobium | |
|---|---|
| |
| Epilobium hirsutum (great willowherb) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Onagraceae |
| Subfamily: | Onagroideae |
| Tribe: | Epilobieae |
| Genus: | Epilobium L. |
| Species | |
|
160-200, see text | |
| Synonyms | |
Epilobium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species.[1] The genus has a worldwide distribution. It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and tropics Epilobium species are restricted to the cool montane biomes, such as the New Guinea Highlands.
The taxonomy of the genus has varied between different botanists, but the modern trend is to include the previously recognised genera Boisduvalia, Chamaenerion (previously Chamerion), Pyrogennema and Zauschneria within Epilobium according to Peter H. Raven, who has extensively studied the willowherbs and merges the other segregate genera into Epilobium. Fringed willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum) is likely a cryptic species complex; apparently these plants also commonly hybridize with their congeners.[2]
Most species are known by the common name willowherbs for their willow-like leaves.[3] Those that were once separated in Boisduvalia are called spike-primroses or boisduvalias. Those Epilobium species previously placed in the Chamaenerion group are known as fireweeds.
- ^ "Smithsonian National Museum of Natural history: Epilobium". Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ^ Bleeker et al. (2007)
- ^ "willow-herb". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)