Common Names:
- Purple Loosestrife
- Spiked Loosestrife
- Purple Plague!
Phonetic Spelling:
LITH-rum sal-ih-KAIR-ee-uh
Description:
- Appearance: An invasive perennial plant with tall spikes of purple-magenta flowers. It grows up to 2 meters tall and forms dense clumps.
- Leaves: Lance-shaped, opposite or whorled, and medium green.
- Flowers: Small, six-petaled, purple-magenta flowers arranged in long spikes.
- Fruits: Tiny seeds produced in large quantities, enabling rapid spread.
Distribution/Location:
Native to Europe and Asia, Purple Loosestrife was introduced to North America in the 19th century by trade and immigrats. It now thrives in wetlands, marshes, and alongside rivers and lakes across much of the U.S. and Canada.
Environmental Concerns:
Purple Loosestrife is highly invasive and can outcompete native wetland plants, drastically reducing biodiversity. Its dense growth crowds out species like cattails, which are essential for wildlife habitats. Loosestrife also alters the hydrology of wetlands, impacting the ecosystem and water flow.
Make sure to remove them if spotting them in the wild!
Management and Control:
Controlling Purple Loosestrife often involves mechanical removal, herbicides, and biological control through the introduction of natural enemies like beetles that feed on the plant.
Fun Fact:
Despite its beauty, Purple Loosestrife is considered one of the most damaging invasive species in North American wetlands, often called the “purple plague” because of how it takes over wetlands.
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