fireweed
fireweed Lexical Profile
fireweed Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A tall perennial herbaceous flowering plant (Chamaenerion angustifolium) of the evening primrose family Onagraceae, native to temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, bearing showy terminal spikes of four-petaled magenta to pink blossoms and rapidly colonizing burned or disturbed ground.
"By mid-summer, vibrant purple spikes of fireweed covered the hillside where the forest fire had burned the previous year."
North American A coarse annual herbaceous plant (Erechtites hieraciifolius) in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to the Americas, having serrated leaves and small whitish-yellow flower heads that thrive in recently burned clearings.
"The field biologist noted that American fireweed had quickly sprouted among the charred timber following the controlled burn."
Australian A fast-growing annual or short-lived perennial herb (Senecio madagascariensis) of the family Asteraceae, native to southern Africa and invasive in Australia, producing clusters of bright yellow daisy-like flowers that are toxic to grazing livestock.
"Pasture managers worked throughout the spring to remove invasive yellow fireweed before it could poison the cattle."
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the 18th century as a compound of "fire" and "weed", referencing the plant's ecological role as a pioneer species that rapidly colonizes land cleared by forest fires or volcanic eruptions.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.