Chromatica

This is a type of lupine or fireweed. I always thought they were the same plant, but recently I’ve heard otherwise. I’m not sure exactly. I’ve always called both types fireweed. Anyway, they grow in fields where there is plenty of light. Fireweed often spring up quickly and in great numbers after a forest fire due to the suddenly abundant space, light, and long-dormant seeds lying in wait for just such an occasion.

They even use fireweed to reestablish vegetation after oil spills and other events of that nature because they are a pioneer species, meaning that they can grow where other plants may wither and die leading the way for more and more vegetation to come in. This is how much of the land in Alaska was populated with vegetation after the ice fields and glaciers melted away.

In Alaska, people often make edible concoctions out of fireweed including syrups, jellies, candies, ice cream, etc. I’ve never had any of them but I would like to. I’ve heard they can be pretty good if done properly.

~Jake