Epilobium ciliatum Raf., American Willowherb

Introduction, neophyte, very rare, but invasive, difficult to identify and very probably under-recorded in Fermanagh in disturbed ground near habitation.

August 1983; Kelly, Dr D.L.; disturbed ground, Enniskillen Town.

July and August.

There are just two records for this weedy alien willowherb in the Fermanagh Flora Database, the first above by Dr Kelly has vouchers in DBN and TCD, and the second, was made on 21 July 1997 by Ian and David McNeill at Clabby Church.

This N American, rosette-forming perennial was first recorded in Ireland at the small E coast port of Arklow, Co Wicklow (H20) in 1958. The second discovery was in 1971 on an island in Lough Neagh. After a delay of approximately 20 years it appears that E. ciliatum then began to spread in Ireland in the 'explosive' manner typical of many successful introduced species, although in reality it was fairly certainly overlooked for an unknown period while it was actively spreading in the Dublin area prior to 1980. The reason for this involves confusion with E. obscurum (Short-fruited Willowherb), from which it can be very difficult to distinguish (Doogue et al. 1985; Cat Alien Pl Ir).

The 20 year 'delay' after an initial arrival phase for an introduced species, conforms to a pattern familiar from other such cases and, indeed, the early history of E. ciliatum in Britain is remarkably similar to the Irish experience, the dates being much earlier, however. It was first found in England at a reservoir in Leicestershire (VC 55) as long ago as 1891, although it was not recognised and correctly named until 1934. By then, it was well established at least in Surrey (VC 17), having spread rapidly especially around the 1930-34 period (Preston 1989).

The current widespread distribution of E. ciliatum throughout B & I revealed in the New Atlas and the frequency with which it forms hybrids with other common members of the genus (particularly with the very common E. montanum (Broad-leaved Willowherb)) indicates that E. ciliatum ought to be looked out for in Fermanagh in all kinds of disturbed, mainly urban habitats. It certainly remains under-recorded, most probably being mistaken for E. montanum and E. obscurum.