A Fireweed Census
About half of Scotland has written, in response to a perhaps foolish query about the habitat of the rosebay willow-herb, to say in effect that it is likely to be " the curse of the country." Much of the evidence is of botanic interest. Though the weed was found in Scotland a very long time ago, it has spread like a forest fire during the war and has
set alight most of the shorn woodlands, as I have seen it occupy the woods of Newfoundland after a fire. It flourishes in Shetland, but not, it seems, on the adjacent mainland. More than one correspondent has had my experience: attempts to sow it have altogether failed ; and indeed the strength of the " fire-weed " lies as much in its creeping, persistent roots as in its winged seed. The Women's Institutes in Scotland have been taking notice of the plant and printed a rune, by M. F. L., in their magazine, thus:
Rose-bay. In May, Green tufts shoot up every day. Rose-bay. In June, Red candles burst into bloom. Rose-bay. In July, Grey feathers begin to fly. Rose-bay In August, Poor willoVv-herb turned to rust.
In an expert's book on the botany of the Clyde it is alleged that it is indigenous on high Alpine rocks, but flowers sparingly. The great ex- tension of it in Scotland seems to date from about 1927. Scottish bee- keepers find it very useful. It was introduced to Ireland, Co. Dublin, in 1875, but does not seem to have spread very widely. It is curious that the great Anne Pratt writes of i. as " a rare plant in moist woods in England, though less so in Scotland." Hooker, on the other hand, found it common from Shetland to Devon.
Previous page
