08/28/2026
Have you been driving down long stretches of pink and purple highways? The plant responsible is called Fireweed!
Fireweed blankets most sunny areas in Neys, and can even be found in every Canadian province and territory. The reason these pinky-purple giants (they can get as large as 9 feet!) love the open road is because they are also known as “pioneer species”. This means that they are some of the first species to grow and live in disturbed ecosystems. Fireweed seeds erupt in the bright sun left behind after forest fires have swept through an area, and are one of the first things to be seen as the environment begins to recover.
Fireweed also becomes one of the most important grocery stores to the critters who call our park home! Black bears and moose will chomp on the flowers and stems, while smaller critters like Northern red-backed voles nibble on the seeds of this wildflower. It’s a buffet!
Even Pollinators are best buds with fireweed! Butterflies, moths, and bees all love the nectar within its many blooms, and they help to fertilize its seeds. These purple blooms are an important food source, especially when there might not be much else around to eat (like after a fire!).
Fireweed flowers from June to September, so you still have time to spot these beautiful blooms on your travels!
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[Image 1: a magenta wildflower surrounded by green leaves]
[Image 2: parks staff in a field of magenta flowers]
[Image 3: several magenta fireweed flowers]
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