Epilobium hirsutum L.

The great hairy willow-herb is native to Europe, unlike the evening primrose which originated in North America. In fact, the great hairy willow-herb was eventually exported to the USA. It has many strange local names, such as codlins-and-cream, apple-pie and cherry-pie. It grows throughout the Netherlands along banks, in ditches and reed marshes. Great hairy willow-herb strongly resembles fireweed, however it grows on wetter soils, its leaves are covered entirely with hair and the blossoms stand further apart. Great hairy willow-herb is an important food plant for the elephant hawk-moth.

Harig wilgenroosje groeit langs oevers, in sloten en rietmoerassen. Je kunt de plant op zulke plaatsen overal in Nederland tegenkomen. Hij staat op nattere plaatsen dan het echte wilgenroosje. De bladeren zijn aan beide kanten behaard en de bloemen staan verder van elkaar dan bij het echte wilgenroosje. De rupsen van de avondroodvlinder leven meestal op deze plant.