Erechtites hieraciifolius (American burnweed)

Erechtites spp.

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

Overview

Erechtites spp. is a genus of erect annual herbs in the daisy family, Asteraceae, commonly called burnweeds or fireweeds. About five species are recognised, with E. hieraciifolius the most widespread across North America. Stems are single and upright, reaching 12 to 98 in (30 to 250 cm), branching near the top and bearing alternate leaves 2 to 8 in (5 to 20 cm) long with toothed to deeply lobed margins. Flower heads are discoid and lack spreading ray florets; each narrow head holds many small whitish to greenish disc florets within a smooth green involucre swollen at the base. Blooming runs from summer into autumn, after which the florets give way to slender ribbed seeds tipped with a tuft of white pappus bristles that travel on the wind. Plants germinate on disturbed, burned, or freshly cleared ground, which is the source of the fireweed name. Foliage and stems contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the liver of grazing livestock and people if eaten in quantity. As fast-growing annuals, Erechtites spp. species complete their cycle in one season and return only from seed, appearing and disappearing with soil disturbance rather than forming lasting clumps. The coarse foliage contributes little structure in cultivated settings.

Native Range

Native to the Americas, ranging from temperate North America through Central and South America. E. hieraciifolius spans eastern and central North America, while other species occur in subtropical and tropical regions farther south.

Suggested Uses

Erechtites spp. species appear mainly in naturalised, wildlife, and restoration plantings, colonising bare or burned ground and supplying nectar to small bees and flies. They are seldom grown ornamentally and are more often managed as pioneer plants on disturbed sites. Wind-dispersed seed makes them suited to areas where spread is acceptable.

How to Identify

Erect, ribbed annual stems carry alternate leaves with toothed or pinnately lobed margins. The flower heads are narrow and brush-like with no spreading petals, set in a green cylindrical involucre that bulges at the base and holds whitish disc florets barely emerging from the tip. After flowering, each head opens into a rounded puff of white-tufted seeds resembling a small dandelion clock.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 8'2"

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

green

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowering runs from summer through autumn, roughly July to October in temperate areas. The discoid heads are greenish white and inconspicuous, opening over several weeks. Wind-borne seed follows quickly, often while later heads are still in flower.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Erechtites spp. species grow as warm-season annuals in full sun to partial shade and tolerate poor, sandy, or recently disturbed soils. Seeds germinate on bare ground once temperatures warm, and plants reach full height in a single season. Moderate moisture supports the quickest growth, though established plants withstand short dry spells. The coarse stems need no staking or feeding. Reproduction is entirely by seed, so plants do not regrow from roots and reappear only where seed has dispersed. Self-sown seedlings can spread widely on open soil.

Pruning

As annual herbs, Erechtites spp. species need no formal pruning. Cutting or removing flower heads before the seed tufts mature limits self-seeding onto open ground. Spent plants can be pulled at the end of the season.