Botanical name:

Epilobium macropus

Common name(s):

Willowherb

About:

A slender low-growing herb characterised by its distinctive dark purple stems and small, oval-shaped leaves. The flowers, which can range in colour from white to a soft pinkish hue, are produced along the lengths of the stems and are subsequently followed by long, narrow seed-heads that add to its unique appearance. This herb is typically found in wet alpine areas across both of New Zealand's main islands, thriving in its preferred habitat.

Natural habitat: 

Montane to alpine on the margins of (and sometimes partially immersed in) mountain streams, seepages and soaks.

Growing environment:

Frost, Shade, Wetland, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North Island form the Central Volcanic Plateau and main axial ranges south. In the South Island, mostly easterly.

Height: 20cm

Flowering:  

November- March with a pink to white coloured flower/s 

Fruiting:

Uses: 

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Riparian plantings

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed and rooted pieces. However to flourish it needs to be planted on the margins of streams or kept in partially immersed pots with the water changed frequently. Does not tolerate high humidity and drought. Epilobium macropus is a very attractive species that despite being tricky to cultivate deserves to be more widely grown.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though