Epilobium laestadii
Local name: lappdunört
Epilobium laestadii, known as lappdunört or Laestad's willowherb, is a small perennial herb in the evening primrose family with narrow leaves and delicate pink to purple flowers. This Arctic-alpine species typically grows 10-30 cm tall and plays a role in stabilizing soil in harsh northern environments while providing nectar for specialized cold-adapted pollinators.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Myrtales
Family
Onagraceae
Genus
Epilobium
Epilobium laestadii belongs to the family Onagraceae, order Myrtales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Epilobium laestadii, known as lappdunört or Laestad's willowherb, is a small perennial herb in the evening primrose family with narrow leaves and delicate pink to purple flowers. This Arctic-alpine species typically grows 10-30 cm tall and plays a role in stabilizing soil in harsh northern environments while providing nectar for specialized cold-adapted pollinators.
Epilobium laestadii faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from urban development and infrastructure projects in its limited alpine and subalpine range. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the specific temperature and moisture conditions required for this cold-adapted species.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species inhabits moist to wet soils in Arctic and subarctic regions, typically found along stream banks, in wet meadows, and on rocky slopes with seepage. It thrives in areas with late snow melt and cool, humid conditions characteristic of northern latitudes and high mountain elevations.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Epilobium laestadii faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss from urban development and infrastructure projects in its limited alpine and subalpine range. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the specific temperature and moisture conditions required for this cold-adapted species.
Climate change and warming temperatures
Habitat loss from urban development
Infrastructure development and construction
Competition from invasive plant species
Small population size and genetic bottlenecks
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Epilobium laestadii (Epilobium laestadii). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/lappdunort