Epilobium billardiereanum subsp. cinereum

Variable Willow-herb at Hackett, ACT

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Identification history

Epilobium billardiereanum subsp. cinereum	3 Jan 2023	Tapirlord
Epilobium billardiereanum	2 Jan 2023	Tapirlord
Epilobium billardiereanum	1 Jan 2023	Avery

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User's notes

Being monstered by the bright green stuff whose name I don't recall

9 comments

abread111 wrote:

1 Jan 2023

Bright green stuff is umbella sedge, Cyperus eragrostis.
Probably right about the Epilobium but "Definite identification of Epilobium species requires microscopic examination of the seeds." from https://apps.lucidcentral.org/plants_se_nsw/text/entities/epilobium_billardiereanum.htm

waltraud wrote:

2 Jan 2023

The plant in the center is a Willowherb Epilobium in bud (flower buds on long "stalks"). We have 2 species of Willowherbs on our 2022 Flora list and 2 subspecies of Epilobium billardierianum - as Barb pointed out, E bill is hard to id from photo. Avery if you want to know whether the plant is an introduced species or not can I suggest you collect a sample and bring it along to our Monday sessions or drop it at my place. It takes such a long time to log in to CNM and try to id from photos that may not show the features.

Avery wrote:

2 Jan 2023

Thanks, everybody! For my purposes, it is not necessary to dive into the subspecies, since my most important concern is not to rip them out thinking that they are fleabane (but I also just want to know the species, or at least the genus, out of general interest)! But hopefully somebody who had reason to know more could go there and take a look in person.

Another general point is whether it would be worth uploading more samples from the general area, or is enough enough.

Tapirlord wrote:

2 Jan 2023

I think Betty's comments are a bit conservative, the local species are pretty easily distinguished by leaf shape & the "overal vibe". Most of what occurs at Majura would be Epilobium billardiereanum I suspect. Again I would advise caution with regard to collecting plants, nearly everything that you would encouter in the reserve can be easily identifed from photos.

@Avery your photos are absoulutely fine in terms of finding an ID, they show most important features. There is a general guide to plant photography under the category heading. All records are useful & I would encourage you to continue uploading sightings.

abread111 wrote:

2 Jan 2023

Ciaran
I'm glad you can tell by the overall vibe - that's why I left the confirmation for you. I don't have as much experience as you to go on to know about leaf shape of other Epilobium species.
And I'm Barbara or Barb (not Betty - though strangely I do have a sister Betty!)

Tapirlord wrote:

2 Jan 2023

Oh sorry Barbara, I mean't to refer to Betty Wood who wrote the key that you referenced in your comment. My fault for the confusing wording!

waltraud wrote:

3 Jan 2023

Ciaran I have a question reg the species/subspecies; so far we have id-ed two E. b. subspecies but not the E. billardiereanum "straight" species. Do you know whether it occurs in ACT and how to distinguish from E. bill subspecies cinereum respect. hydrophilum, the 2 subspecies on our Flora list? Thanks W

Tapirlord wrote:

3 Jan 2023

Waltraud, all E.billardiereanum are the "straight" species, i use the taxa to include all observations that are difficult to assign to one of the two local subsp. Having said that, my understanding is that most of what occurs at lower elevation is subsp cinereum which has narrow hairy leaves often with a light grey colouration. The number of teeth on the side of the leaf also matter, subsp hydrophilum has 4-12 while subsp cinereum as 1-6. This particular sighting will be subsp cinereum.

waltraud wrote:

3 Jan 2023

many thanks :-)

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