Wildflower wonder: Alaska's state flower isn't fireweed -- although it is Alaska's most recognizable plant.

Is it a weed? Is it a flower? Can you eat it? Does it really count down the summer?

For being one of the most common perennial plants in Southcentral Alaska, fireweed is one of the most misunderstood. No, it's not a weed, and yes, you can eat it. In fact, the Dena'ina have long known about its nutritional and medicinal qualities.

No matter where you look in Southcentral Alaska, you are likely to see fireweed shooting up all over the place. It traditionally grows on cleared out or burned areas, but it easily propagates, leading it to appear virtually everywhere. And while the Lower 48 may have the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil to let them know how long to wait for spring, Alaskans can measure the length of their summer based on the fireweed.

"Ever since I was a kid, I've always been told that you can tell how soon fall will get here by how far up the stalk the fireweed has bloomed," said Wasilla-area gardener Teresa Graible. "That's why it's depressing to look out my window right now and see the fireweed bloomed halfway up."

Fireweed gets its name from the fact that it's among the first plants to pop up in an area after a big fire.

It's a very hearty plant, and the bright pink to purple blooms make it more recognizable than even the Alaska state flower, the Forget-Me-Not.

While some gardeners consider fireweed a pest to their gardens, others embrace it -- partly because they can't do anything about it.

"For years I pulled all the fireweed around my house, but it kept coming back," Wasilla gardener Tasha Kastner said. "So finally, a few years ago, I decided to just plan my flowers around the fireweed. It's less of a headache if you don't try to get rid of them."

Kastner said she tries to develop her "flower scheme" with the pink blooms in mind.

"I just let them do their thing and try not to plant anything that clashes right up against the road [where the fireweed is]," Kastner said.

Graible has planted lots of Alaska wildflowers around her property off Knik-Goose Bay Road. She said she enjoys fireweed, as well as other Alaska wildlfowers, because of how unique they are.

"I've got family in Missouri, Georgia and Mississippi and they send me pictures of their gardens and you know what? They all look the same," Graible said. "I love my wildflowers because they are unique."

Epilobium angustifolium

"Willow Herb"

"Fireweed"

LEAVES

Long and narrow, the veins can be observed on the underside.

FLOWERS

Rose, purple and mauve colored. Flowers are clustered along the stalk, and are blooming from July through mid-September, depending on weather.

HABITAT

Pop up in burned or clear-cut areas, as well as along roads.

Can survive in a very dry condition, with partial shade.