Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Fireweed is an abundant plant species in Alaska. These perennial plants are usually grow between 2 and 6 feet tall, but can be taller. The flowers bloom from the bottom upwards with the top spike containing pink-to-rose-purple colored flowers. Alaskans will tell you that once the blooms reach the tip of the plant, summer is over, and winter will start in 6 weeks. As the blooms fade the petals turn into seed containing pods. A single plant may produce 80,000 seeds. The plant can be used for tea, honey, jelly, syrups and food flavorings. Fireweed is one of, if not, the most iconic flower of Alaska.
Photo © copyright by John DiGiovanni
