Epilobium siskiyouense
Siskiyou fireweed, Siskiyou Fireweed
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Family: Onagraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Epilobium siskiyouense (Siskiyou fireweed) is a native California subshrub in the Onagraceae family, recognized by woody caudex with scaly shoots and dense glandular indumentum distinctive.
Siskiyou fireweed is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in northern Klamath Ranges on serpentine ridges, scree, and moist ledges at elevations of 1,700 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces pink to rose-purple flowers 11 to 24 millimeters long with distinctive 4-lobed stigmas. Growing as a clumped subshrub 10 to 25 centimeters tall with woody stems covered in fine scales and short hairs, it forms dense clusters from a woody base. Its sessile leaves are lanceolate to widely ovate, 13 to 26 millimeters long, sparsely covered with short strigose hairs. The fruit is 25 to 45 millimeters long and hairy, with a white seed tuft that detaches easily.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; woody caudex with scaly shoots and dense glandular indumentum distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Scree, moist ledges, serpentine ridges
Elevation: 1700-2500 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Trinity, Shasta
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Epilobium siskiyouense blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Penstemon: Epilobium has 4 notched petals and opposite leaves; Penstemon has 5-lobed tubular flowers (snapdragon family).; vs Gambelia: Epilobium has 4 notched petals; Gambelia has 5-lobed tubular snapdragon-like flowers.; vs Fuchsia: Epilobium has notched petals spreading flat; Fuchsia has dangling tubular flowers with protruding stamens.; vs Keckiella: Epilobium has 4 notched petals; Keckiella has 5-lobed tubular snapdragon-like flowers.; vs Diplacus: Epilobium has 4 notched petals; Diplacus has 5-lobed tubular monkey flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Epilobium siskiyouense native to California?
Yes. Epilobium siskiyouense is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Epilobium siskiyouense bloom?
Epilobium siskiyouense blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Epilobium siskiyouense grow?
Epilobium siskiyouense occurs in Siskiyou, Trinity, Shasta, at elevations of 1700-2500 m.
What plant family does Epilobium siskiyouense belong to?
Epilobium siskiyouense is in the Onagraceae family, genus Epilobium.
Is Epilobium siskiyouense rare or endangered?
Epilobium siskiyouense carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Epilobium sp. — Willowherb
- Epilobium torreyi — Narrow boisduvalia
- Epilobium anagallidifolium — Alpine willowherb
- Epilobium brachycarpum — Annual fireweed
- Epilobium campestre — Smooth boisduvalia
- Epilobium canum — California fuchsia
- Eremothera boothii — Booth's sun cup
- Eremothera boothii subsp. alyssoides — Pine creek evening-primrose
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.