[Willowherbs and Spike-primroses: The Genus Epilobium East of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Brook Spike-primrose, Brook Willowherb, Stiff Spikeprimrose, Stiff Spike-primrose, Torrey's Epilobium, Torrey's Willowherb

Epilobium torreyi

Synonym: Boisduvalia stricta

Brook Spike-primrose, Brook Willowherb, Stiff Spikeprimrose, Stiff Spike-primrose, Torrey's Epilobium, Torrey's Willowherb: Epilobium torreyi (Synonym: Boisduvalia stricta) - Brook Spike-primrose, Brook Willowherb, Stiff Spikeprimrose, Stiff Spike-primrose, Torrey's Epilobium, Torrey's Willowherb: Epilobium torreyi (Synonym: Boisduvalia stricta)

Stiff spike-primrose blooming at Potter Meadows across Forest Road 38 from the southern trailhead for the Ochoco Mountain Trail, Ochoco National Forest.........July 13, 2017.

Brook Spike-primrose, Brook Willowherb, Stiff Spikeprimrose, Stiff Spike-primrose, Torrey's Epilobium, Torrey's Willowherb: Epilobium torreyi (Synonym: Boisduvalia stricta)

Stiff spike-primrose found at Catherine Creek.........July 11, 1991.
Brook Spike-primrose, Brook Willowherb, Stiff Spikeprimrose, Stiff Spike-primrose, Torrey's Epilobium, Torrey's Willowherb: Epilobium torreyi (Synonym: Boisduvalia stricta) The photo at the right shows stiff spike-primrose found at Catherine Creek.........July 11, 1991.
Characteristics:

Stiff spike-primrose is also known as brook spike-primrose. It is an annual wildflower with one to many branched stems arising at the base. The branches when present are closely oriented to the central stem. The herbage is grayish in color due to a dense covering of soft, straight, eglandular hairs. The numerous leaves are linear or narrowly lanceolate with entire to occasionally toothed margins. The leaves range from 1-4 cm long and 1-2.5 mm wide.

The inflorescence ranges from congested to loosely elongated with floral bracts (smaller than the leaves) subtending each flower. The 4 petals are pink or purple with each usually measuring 2 mm long. The tips of each petal is deeply cleft.

Habitat:

Stiff spike-primrose grows along the margins of vernal ponds and streams.

Range:

Stiff spike-primrose may be found from eastern Washington south through Oregon (on both sides of the Cascades) to central California and east to Idaho and Nevada.

Brook Spike-primrose, Brook Willowherb, Stiff Spikeprimrose, Stiff Spike-primrose, Torrey's Epilobium, Torrey's Willowherb: Epilobium torreyi (Synonym: Boisduvalia stricta) - Brook Spike-primrose, Brook Willowherb, Stiff Spikeprimrose, Stiff Spike-primrose, Torrey's Epilobium, Torrey's Willowherb: Epilobium torreyi (Synonym: Boisduvalia stricta) - Brook Spike-primrose, Brook Willowherb, Stiff Spikeprimrose, Stiff Spike-primrose, Torrey's Epilobium, Torrey's Willowherb: Epilobium torreyi (Synonym: Boisduvalia stricta) - Brook Spike-primrose, Brook Willowherb, Stiff Spikeprimrose, Stiff Spike-primrose, Torrey's Epilobium, Torrey's Willowherb: Epilobium torreyi (Synonym: Boisduvalia stricta)

Stiff spike-primrose observed in vernally moist drainages along Box Canyon Road, Simcoe Mountains Unit of the Klickitat Wildlife Area.......July 1, 2020.
Paul Slichter