https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/240087993
This patch of ciilaaq/fireweed is in an area of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge that burned in the summer of 2019. Some areas of that burn have transitioned out of having much fireweed because some other brush has grown in, but this particular hillside where I was hiking is still largely dominated by it.
Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) can be found in all parts of the United States except for the southeast (e.g. Texas, Florida, etc.). It is a perennial plant that grows in open meadows and disturbed areas, like burned areas and roadsides. The flower spikes can have up to 50 flowers. The seeds that each of these flowers has tufted silky hairs at the end, which can be caught by the wind to disperse the seeds. This white silk is visible on some of the plants in my photos.
Beyond being aesthetically pleasing, fireweed is used by people for a wide range of purposes. The young plant shoots in the spring and the flowers in the summer can be eaten. Dried and made into tea, fireweed has been used to treat fungus and yeast infections. It may also have some antihistamine properties.
Sources:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/chamerion_angustifolium.shtml
https://health.alaska.gov/dpa/Documents/dpa/programs/Nutrition/Family-Nutriton/Sheet-Fireweed.pdf
Comments
I was particularly interested in your post because this summer was my first time harvesting fireweed leaves and flowers to make tea and jelly so I wanted to learn a little more about it. I also loved that you included one of it's indigenous names, what language is it in? I definitely learned some things about ciilaaq from your post so thank you! I thought it was really interesting that they grow in disturbed areas and this makes me wonder if it is because they are trying to help the area. I also didn't know that they depended on the wind to disperse their seeds.
Seeing blooming fireweed is such a bitter-sweet moment. It's gorgeous but also signifies that summer is coming to a close here in Southeast Alaska. I've always wanted to collect some to make teas or jelly. The taste when I've had it from others is superb! When the Russians came to Alaska they couldn't get enough of the stuff! They drank so much Fireweed tea that it actually started to make them sick. Apparently there's compounds in the plant that when over indulged on can cause poisoning. Too much of anything I suppose isn't great. Thanks for looking things up and sharing what you've found!
Thanks for your Journal entry on a beloved plant in Alaska, Michelle! I enjoyed reading not only your entry (I'm particularly excited to see Indigenous names making their way into many of your Journals!), Michll, but also Markayla's response about jelly, which is a common thing for many people in southeast Alaska to make. I wonder if it is as popular in your part of Alaska, Michelle? I also loved reading Fisher's response to how the blooming plant evokes a bittersweet response in many of us as it signals the end of summertime. I'm delighted to se how you all are already clearly so thoughtful and observant about the ecosystems of which you're a part!
Professor Brooke
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