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Description

Fireweed is one of Alaska’s most recognizable wildflowers, its vivid purple blossoms rising steadily from the base of the stalk to the top. According to local folklore, when the final blooms reach the tip, it signals that winter is on its way. In Denali National Park, these bright flowers bring a welcome burst of color to the landscape, and their distinct flavor is used in everything from jellies to syrups across Alaska. This close-up view captures the richness of the bloom at its peak and the seasonal story it quietly tells.