Small Willow Herb.Epilobium coloratum.
Found in damp ground, in meadows and ditches, in blossom in August and September.
Its erect branching stalk grows from 1 to 2 feet high, and is strong-fibred, round, and smooth; color green, often a fine crimson.
The long, narrow leaf has a finely notched margin, a smooth surface, and a fine texture; dark gray-green in color. The arrangement is usually opposite, on very short foot-stems.
The small flower has 4 rounded petals, notched at the tip; they are a pale violet-tinted white; there are 8 small stamens, and a club-shaped pistil,—all pale yellow; the 4-parted calyx is green. The flower is set on the top of the slender pod.
In the autumn the mass of downy pods and crimson-red stems make of this unpretentious plant a pleasing bit of color; its fine qualities of texture contribute to its attractiveness.