Selected images for purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria )
Purple loosestrife is a tall, multi-stemmed (30-50 per plant), perennial forb that can grow up to 10 ft. (3 m) in height. The opposite or whorled leaves are dark-green, lance-shaped, sessile, 1.5-4 in. (3.8-10.2 cm) long and round or heart-shaped at the base. Flowering occurs in July to October, when pink to purplish flowers develop in 4-16 in. (10.2-40.6 cm) long spikes at the tops of the stems. Flowers have 5-7 petals and twice as many stamens as petals. Fruits are capsules that are enclosed in the hairy sepals. Purple loosestrife is a serious invader of many types of wetlands, including wet meadows, prairie potholes, river and stream banks, lake shores, tidal and non-tidal marshes, and ditches. It can quickly form dense stands that displace native vegetation. Purple loosestrife can spread very rapidly due to its prolific seed production; one plant can produce as many as 2 million seeds per year. Purple loosestrife is native to Europe and Asia. It was first introduced into North America in the early 1800s for ornamental and medicinal purposes. It has also been used as a nectar plant for bee-keeping.
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0022075 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Flower(s) Eric Coombs |
0024065 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Flower(s) Norman E. Rees |
1237071 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Infestation Britt Slattery |
1291004 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Flower(s) Linda Wilson |
1291006 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Fruit(s) Gary L. Piper |
1391115 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Flower(s) John D. Byrd |
1391156 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Plant(s) John D. Byrd |
1400073 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Infestation Linda Haugen |
1459314 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Infestation Steve Dewey |
1459315 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Foliage Steve Dewey |
1459317 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Infestation Steve Dewey |
1459318 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Infestation Steve Dewey |
1459324 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Plant(s) Steve Dewey |
1459325 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Plant(s) Steve Dewey |
2187015 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Plant(s) David Cappaert |
5308005 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Plant(s) USDA PLANTS Database |
5308006 purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Plant(s) USDA PLANTS Database |
