Taxon Report

Epilobium palustre L.

marsh willowherb

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Epilobium palustre, commonly known as marsh willowherb, is a perennial rhizomatous herb in the Onagraceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Bogs and fens, and Meadows and seeps (mesic), growing at elevations from 1285 to 2345 meters. Epilobium palustre is ranked 2B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Epilobium palustre L.
Common Name:	marsh willowherb
Family:	Onagraceae
Element Code:	PDONA060R0
USDA Plants Symbol:	EPPA
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial rhizomatous herb
Blooming Period: Jul-Sep	Jul-Sep
Elevation:	1285-2345 (4215-7695)
General Habitats:	Bogs and fens, Meadows and seeps
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.3
Global Rank:	G5
State Rank:	S2
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	IUCN_LC
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2.3 to 2B.3 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	5
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	5

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
El Dorado (ELD), Lassen (LAS), Mono (MNO), Plumas (PLU)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Fish Slough (3711844), Freel Peak (3811978), Grizzly Valley (3912085), Jess Valley (4112023), Mt. Harkness (4012143)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	0
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	0	%

Notes



Known in CA only from Grass Lake (ELD Co.) and Willow Lake (PLU Co.). On monitor list in ID.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Epilobium palustre account for potential Species of Conservation Concern evaluation (2022)

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 4 November 2025].