Willowerb

This is rosebay willowherb, Chamaenerion angustifolium, aka fireweed.  It is the commonest of the large willowherbs.


It is worth a closer look to marvel at the details.

Notice the four narrow darker red sepals that previously protected the bud but now are elarged and coloured to augment the petals.  Between the sepals are four broader petals in a paler magenta.


Reproduction is interesting in that it avoids self-pollination by staggered development.  First the 8 stamens mature and release their pollen while the stigma is still immature and tucked away at the bottom.  That is the stage in this blip.  Later, once the pollen has all dispersed, the stigma will grow larger and open out with four branches ready to be cross-pollinated from different flowers.  I'll maybe post that stage later in the week.

[That has now been posted on the 2nd August]
Link:  https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/3266173709521519909