The aim of the research was finding the best conditions for germination of Chamaenerion angustifolium seeds in a laboratory (light, temperature ranging from 200C to 300C). For two months after the harvest the germination capacity ranged from 40% to 80%. In next months the capacity decreased. In March and April it increased again, reaching as much as 80%. Seven years after the harvest diaspores lose their germination capacity.
Composition of sterol fraction and content of identified compounds in herb of fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium fU Scop.) and leaves of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) obtained from several populations of these species growing wild in Poland were determined by HPLC. The investigated species differed in respect of the composition and content of identified sterols. High intraspecific variability concerning accumulation of sterols was also observed. Herb of fireweed was characterised by relatively high content of p-sitosterol (85.80-171.18 mg/100 g), campesterol (24.24-334.49 mg/100 g), and p-sitosterol D-glucoside (26.33-86.32 mg/100 g). Leaves of evening primrose appeared to be much poorer source of sterols. Content of |3-sitosterol (the dominant compound in the sterol fraction) in this raw material ranged from 5.21 to 34.66 mg/100 g.