Great Willowherb

Name: Great Willowherb

Scientific name: Epilobium hirsutum

Category: Flowers

Nature Stars: 40

What are nature stars?

About: This large herb likes grasslands and other open spaces. Its fluffy seeds are dispersed by the wind, and its leaves are a favourite food of many caterpillars such as those of the beautiful elephant hawk moth.

How to identify: A tall plant covered in soft, downy hair. The purple-pink flowers have creamy centres.

Where: Common throughout the UK and Ireland, less so in Scotland.

Fantastic fact: Great Willowherb is also sometimes known as Codlins-and-Cream, Apple-pie or Cherry-pie.

Photograph credit: Neil Wyatt