Fireweed

The one flower that is obvious when in Alaska is the beautiful pink fireweed.  It is in full bloom now, decorating the highways and meadows.

When an area has been affected by fire, the fireweed is the first plant to come back to the area. As they grow, they drop the lower blooms and continue to add blossoms to the top.  The stems turn nearly blood red after the petals drop.  By the end of August, the roads will be covered with the bright red stems.  We cannot wait to see what the roads look like as we head home.