Fireweed

This is Fireweed. It grows all over the place here. I really like it and I want some in my flower garden. Mark is unsure because it spreads. But I dond't care, I'll weed it if I have to. It will be easy to get. All I have to do is take a walk and pick one. The good thing about it spreading so well is that it will grow easy enough in the garden. The following is from Wikipedia:

Uses
The young shoots were often collected in the spring by Native Americans people and old timers and mixed with other greens. They are best when young and tender; as the plant matures the leaves become tough and somewhat bitter. The southeast Native Americans use the stems in the young stage. They are peeled and eaten raw. When properly prepared soon after picking they are a good source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A. The Dena'ina eat the young stems and leaves raw or boiled, sometimes with fish eggs. Some people peel the stems before eating them. The inland people mix the cooked fireweed with their dogs' food. Fireweed is also a medicine of the Upper Inlet Dena'ina, who treat pus-filled boils or cuts by placing a piece of the raw stem on the afflicted area. This is said to draw the pus out of the cut or boil and prevents a cut with pus in it from healing over too quickly. The root can be roasted after scraping off the outside, but often tastes bitter. To mitigate this, collect the root before the plant flowers and remove the brown thread in the middle.