Rosebay willowherb and other natives of the Willowherb or Onagraceae family

Rosebay willowherb and Hogweed make a surprisingly attractive display at ‘the Dingle’ in Walsall

The RHS have mentioned the Rosebay willowherb to be a weed which is therefore a good reason for me to write about this plant as well as some others in the same family.

Rosebay willowherb used to be in the much larger genus Epilobium but became Chamaenerion angustifolium several years ago.

It is in the Willowherb family or Onagraceae which is number 73 in Stace

Please Note: This is an educational blog only and can’t be responsible for self medication!

I use colour coding for easy reading! Blue background is general interesting info (although I hope you find it all interesting!!). Green is about all the uses except for medicinal uses or if there is a warning in which case I use a pink background. Pictures by Matt Summers unless stated.

Find out more about this interesting plant family on the next page: