Purple Loosestrife

(Lythrum salicaria)

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: Flowers violet to lavender, large and conspicuous, with 6 petals. Six elongate stamens nearly equaling the petals in length. Calyx elongate with pointed apices, forming a elongate receptacle for the petals. Flowers arranged in terminal spikes. Leaves downy, in opposite pairs, elongate, sessile to the stem, nearly clasping, and tapering to an elongate apex. Plant 2 to 4 feet.

Distribution: Throughout North America.

Habitat: Purple Loosestrife is found in swamps and wet meadows.

Flowering period: June to September.

Comments: Purple Loosestrife is a beautiful plant, but also a pernicious, alien weed crowding out native species from its swampy habitat.

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Similar Species:

Purple Loosestrife is easily recognized by the showy, lavender flowers with 6 petals, and the characteristically shaped leaves.

Similar Species

No Similar Species