Epilobium coloratum, commonly known as purpleleaf willowherb, is a perennial herb that is native to wetland margins, moist meadows, and floodplain forests in the Midwest and Eastern United States, extending into parts of Canada. This species typically reaches up to 4 feet in height and features lance-shaped leaves that can have a purplish tinge, hence the common name. From August to October, it produces clusters of small, showy flowers with four white to light pink petals and a distinctive four-lobed stigma at the center.

Purpleleaf willowherb is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions and is often used for naturalizing in rain gardens, wet meadows, and along the edges of water features. It is also beneficial for pollinators, providing nectar for bees and butterflies during its flowering season. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to part shade and consistently moist to wet soils. While it is not typically prone to serious pest or disease problems, it can spread aggressively by seed and rhizomes in favorable conditions, which may require management in a garden setting.CC BY-SA 4.0