Lythrum salicaria L. Loosestrife family (Lythraceae) Download PDF version formatted for print (153 KB) NATIVE
RANGE DESCRIPTION ECOLOGICAL THREAT DISTRIBUTION
IN THE UNITED STATES HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES BACKGROUND BIOLOGY & SPREAD Purple loosestrife also readily reproduces vegetatively through underground stems at a rate of about one foot per year. Many new stems may emerge vegetatively from a single rootstock of the previous year. "Guaranteed sterile" cultivars of purple loosestrife are actually highly fertile and able to cross freely with purple loosestrife and with other native Lythrum species. Therefore, outside of its native range, purple loosestrife of any form should be avoided. MANAGEMENT OPTIONS While herbicides and hand removal
may be useful for controlling individual plants or small populations, biological
control is seen as the most likely candidate for effective long term control
of large infestations of purple loosestrife. As of 1997, three insect species
from Europe have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for
use as biological control agents. These plant-eating insects include a root-mining
weevil (Hylobius transversovittatus), and two leaf-feeding beetles
(Galerucella calmariensis and Galerucella pusilla). Two flower-feeding
beetles (Nanophyes) that feed on various parts of purple loosestrife
plants are still under investigation. Galerucella and Hylobius have
been released experimentally in natural areas in 16 northern states, from
Oregon to New York. Although these beetles have been observed occasionally
feeding on native plant species, their potential impact to non-target species
is considered to be low.
USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS.
NOTICE: MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL. CONTACTS
SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE PLANTS OTHER LINKS AUTHOR PHOTOGRAPHS REFERENCES LaFleur, A. 1996. Invasive plant information sheet: purple loosestrife. The Nature Conservancy, Connecticut Chapter. Malecki, R.A. (et al.). 1993. Biological control of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). BioScience 43 (10):680-686. Swearingen, J. 2009. WeedUS Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States: Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). http://www.invasive.org/weedus/subject.html?sub=3047. The Nature Conservancy. Purple Loosestrife: Element Stewardship Abstract. In: Wildland Weeds Management & Research Program, Weeds on the Web. Thompson, Daniel Q., Ronald L. Stuckey, Edith B. Thompson. 1987. Spread, Impact, and Control of Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in North American Wetlands. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 55 pages. USDA, NRCS. 2009. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. Virginia Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 1995. Invasive Alien Plant Species of Virginia: Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). |
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Last updated: 07-Jul-2009 |