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Phylogeny and classification
In 1994, a molecular phylogenetic
Molecular phylogenetics () is the branch of phylogeny that analyzes genetic, hereditary molecular differences, predominantly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. From these analyses, it is possible to ...
study of 22 taxa of ''Epilobium'', broadly defined, included three species previously assigned by some botanists to a separate genus, ''Chamaenerion'', and by others to a section within ''Epilobium''. The results showed that ''Epilobium'' and ''Chamaenerion'' were sister taxa:[
The finding that ''Chamaenerion'' is sister to the rest of the genus contradicted a hypothesis that it was a specialized subgroup of ''Epilobium''. ''Chamaenerion'' can be distinguished from ''Epilobium'' by features which include: having leaves mostly spirally arranged rather than mostly opposite; having flowers that are zygomorphic rather than mainly radially symmetrical; and lacking a floral tube and a notch in the petals.][ A 2007 monograph on the classification of the family Onagraceae accepted the separation of ''Epilobium'' and ''Chamaenerion'' (under the name ''Chamerion''), dividing ''Chamaenerion'' into two sections, ''Chamaenerion'' and ''Rosmarinifolium''. Differences between the species in the two sections are summarized in the table below.][
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Species
, eight species were recognized, in two sections:[
*''Chamaenerion'' sect. ''Chamaenerion''
**'']Chamaenerion angustifolium
''Chamaenerion angustifolium'' is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the willowherb family Onagraceae. It is known in North America as fireweed, in some parts of Canada as great willowherb, in Britain and Ireland as rosebay willowherb. In ...
'' (L.) Scop. – Eurasia and North America
**'' Chamaenerion conspersum'' (Hausskn.) Kitam. - Himalayas, China
**''Chamaenerion latifolium
''Chamaenerion latifolium'' (formerly ''Epilobium latifolium'', also called ''Chamerion latifolium'') is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the English common names dwarf fireweed and river beauty willowherb. It ...
'' (L.) Th.Fr. & Lange – Eurasia and North America
**'' Chamaenerion speciosum'' (Decne.) Lodd. ex Steud. – Himalayas, China
*''Chamaenerion'' sect. ''Rosmarinifolium''
**'' Chamaenerion colchicum'' (Albov) Steinb. – Caucasus, Western Asia[
**'' Chamaenerion dodonaei'' (Vill.) Schur – Eurasia
**'' Chamaenerion fleischeri'' (Hochst.) Fritsch – European Alps][
**'' Chamaenerion stevenii'' Sosn. ex Grossh. – Caucasus, Western Asia
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Distribution and habitat
''Chamaenerion'' is native to the northern hemisphere. Six of the eight species are native to Eurasia; the two more widespread species, ''C. angustifolium'' and ''C. latifolium'', are also found in North America. This contrasts with most members of the family Onagraceae, which are native only to the western hemisphere.[ Most species are found at high elevations, in moist, rocky areas. ''C. angustifolium'' is the exception, being widespread in disturbed habitats.][ Its American name, fireweed, reflects its regular occurrence in areas recovering from wildfires, to which it may be adapted. In Britain it is known as rosebay willowherb.][
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Ecology
''Chamaenerion'' species are used as food plants by the caterpillar
Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths).
As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder Sym ...
s of certain Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera ( ) is an order (biology), order of insects that includes butterfly, butterflies and moths (both are called lepidopterans). About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera are described, in 126 Family (biology), families and 46 Taxonomic r ...
species, including:
* Double-striped pug
The double-striped pug (''Gymnoscelis rufifasciata'') is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is a widespread and common species, being found throughout the Palearctic region, including the Near East and North Africa.
This is a variable species ...
(''Gymnoscelis rufifasciata''), recorded on fireweed (''Chamaenerion angustifolium
''Chamaenerion angustifolium'' is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the willowherb family Onagraceae. It is known in North America as fireweed, in some parts of Canada as great willowherb, in Britain and Ireland as rosebay willowherb. In ...
'')
* The gothic (''Naenia typica''), recorded on fireweed
* Hebrew character
The Hebrew character (''Orthosia gothica'') is a moth in the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae''. It is found throughout Europe.
Both the common and binomial names ...
(''Orthosia gothica''), recorded on fireweed
* Setaceous Hebrew character
The setaceous Hebrew character (''Xestia c-nigrum'') is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae''. It is found in the Palearctic realm. It is a common specie ...
(''Xestia c-nigrum''), recorded on fireweed
* Elephant Hawk-moth (''Deilephila elpenor'') and Small elephant hawk-moth (''Deilephila porcellus''), on fireweed
Cultivation
The white form of ''Chamaenerion angustifolium'' is recommended as a border plant where it will not prove too invasive. It can grow to tall.[ ''C. dodonaei'' and ''C. fleischeri'' are grown in ]alpine garden
An alpine garden (or alpinarium, alpinum) is a domestic or botanical garden, or more often a part of a larger garden, specializing in the collection and cultivation of alpine plants growing naturally at high altitudes around the world, such as in ...
s, where they form clumps to about .[
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References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2507911
Onagraceae genera
Flora of North America
Flora of Europe
Flora of temperate Asia