fireweed; rosebay willowherb
A tall perennial wildflower with pink-purple spikes, common in open and disturbed areas. The katakana name ヤナギラン is the usual form.
In Hokkaido in summer, fireweed blooms here and there.
Standard katakana spelling for this plant name.
Kanji spelling is rare; the plant name is almost always written in katakana.
From 柳 (yanagi, 'willow') + 蘭 (ran, 'orchid'), referring to the willow-like leaves and orchid-like flowers. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.