Bayshore/ Pilewort

COMMON NAME: Pilewort

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): White Fireweed,

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Erechtites hieracifolia

FAMILY: Asteraceae

COMMUNITY: Bayshore

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: 1 to 7.5 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Late July to late October

FRUITING TIME: Early September to mid-November

DISTRIBUTION: Newfoundland to Florida and west to Texas and Nebraska ~ Statewide in NJ ~ Grow in dry woods, marshes, open fields and saline marshes

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Disk flower white to light yellow, hairlike, toothed, Ray flowers with pistils but no stamens, barely emerge from swollen-based cylinder of green bracts. ~ Leaves thin, jagged edged, alternate ~ Many white bristles surround fruit

GENERAL INFORMATION: This large family (Asteraceae), commonly called the Aster Family, consists of 1,314 genera and 21,000 species of herbs, shrubs, climbers and a few trees is found chiefly in temperate and subtropical regions.  The plants are of value to man as ornamentals; a few are insecticides and fish poisons. The species hieracifolia is a Greek name meaning with leaves of Hieracium (of or pertaining to priests). In earlier times Pilewort was used as an emetic, cathartic (laxative), astringent.  It was claimed that “the oil, as well as the herb itself, has been found highly serviceable in piles and dysentery”.  In the late 1700s, it was called Fireweed because “it abounds in new plantations where the ground has been burnt over”. Pilewort is edible as a cooked green or salad.  The young leaves are preferred as it has a strong taste.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.