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Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

PICTURE OF PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE

Purple loosestrife is a member of the Loosestrife family. It is a perennial introduced from Europe. The erect, square stem can be smooth to hairy, multi-branched and 1-1/2 to 8 feet tall. The leaves are lanceshaped, entire, and are whorled. The magenta-colored flowers, which have five to seven petals, are arranged in long racemes.

Purple loosestrife can be found in moist wetland sites throughout the state. It is a highly aggressive invader species. If left unchecked, a wetland will eventually become a monoculture of loosestrife. This plant poses a severe threat to waterfowl habitat and can impede water flow in irrigation ditches.

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