American burnweed
Family
AsteraceaeScientific Name
Erechtites hieracifolia
Other Common Names:
fire weed
pilewort
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Erechtites hieracifolia
Erechtites hieraciifolius
Habit
This weed is an erect summer annual that ranges in height from 1 to 9 feet tall.
Leaves
Alternate, elliptic to lanceolate in outline, approximately 2 to 8 inches long, 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches wide. Leaves have a sharp-pointed apex (acute) and margins that are irregularly toothed. Most leaves will not be lobed but it is possible.
Identifying Characteristics
An erect summer annual with alternate, lanceolate leaves that have toothed margins. Erect plants with alternate, lanceolate leaves that have toothed margins. When mature, the feathery white seedheads are also key features of these plants.
Flower Seed Head
Flowers occur in panicles at the ends of stems. Individual flower heads are 3 to 10 mm wide, and cream to pinkish in color.
Seed Fruit
A brown nutlet that contains many white pappus that disperse the seed.
Where Found
Fireweed is primarily a weed of pastures, abandoned fields, and some agronomic crops.
Growth Habit
upright and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
pencil,
dime
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
white,
pink
Flower Symmetry
Varies:
radial symmetery,
bilateral symmetry,
not symmetrical
Leaf Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
Varies:
lobed,
serrated
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
Varies:
none,
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
Varies:
fibrous,
taproot
Life Cycle
summer annual
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb