Blog & News
What’s in Bloom? Purple Loosestrife (July – September)
Published on Tuesday August 16, 2022
Authored by PEIISC
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) was first reported in North America in the early 1800s. Since the initial introductions this plant is often shared by gardeners or spread in waterways. It is a wetland perennial that can grow 0.5-1.5 m tall. Watch for Purple Loosestrife flowers in bloom from July to September.
๐ฟ๐ฆ๐กโ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ invades and destroys habitat along rivers, streams, and wetlands. It grows in dense patches that choke out native plants and deter wildlife. Purple loosestrife is a prolific seed producer, and its light seeds are carried by wind and often take hold in nearby wetlands. The seeds also float in water and travel in waterways. Seeds may also โhitchhikeโ on imported sheep or raw wool.
๐๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
๐๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฌ
Lance-shaped and 3-10 cm long, opposite and in pairs, in whorls of three
๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ฌ
Purple to pink, numerous, borne on spikes between 10 and 40 cm long, 5-7 petals per flower
๐ ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ข๐ญ
Capsules, containing numerous reddish-brown seeds
