Family: Lythraceae
swamp loosestrife, water-willow, whorled loosestrife
Merel R. Black
Steve C. Garske
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Decodon: Greek deca for "ten" and odous for "tooth"
Plants: arching perennial, 1'-9' tall, semi-aquatic, emergent forb, often forming floating mats in soft sediment areas; angled stems woody at the base, arching over and re-rooting in the water
Leaves: short-stalked, lance-shaped, in whorls of 3 or 4 or in opposite pairs
Flowers: pink, 5-parted, 1/3"-1/2" long, obvious petals narrowing toward the base, 8-10 protruding stamens of 2 alternating lengths; inflorescence a dense cluster (cyme) of stalked flowers from the upper leaf axils; blooms Aug.-Sept.
Fruits: rounded capsule with many seeds
Habitat: shallows, lake shores, still water; in mucky, peaty soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: arching perennial, 1'-9' tall, semi-aquatic, emergent forb, often forming floating mats in soft sediment areas; angled stems woody at the base, arching over and re-rooting in the water
Leaves: short-stalked, lance-shaped, in whorls of 3 or 4 or in opposite pairs
Flowers: pink, 5-parted, 1/3"-1/2" long, obvious petals narrowing toward the base, 8-10 protruding stamens of 2 alternating lengths; inflorescence a dense cluster (cyme) of stalked flowers from the upper leaf axils; blooms Aug.-Sept.
Fruits: rounded capsule with many seeds
Habitat: shallows, lake shores, still water; in mucky, peaty soil
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 7, Wetland Indicator = OBL USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources: Rare Species Guide; description, conservation, photos, maps, etc. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Steve C. Garske
Dennis W. Woodland
Steve C. Garske
Steve C. Garske
Steve C. Garske
Steve C. Garske
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Botanical Illustration
Steve C. Garske
Paul Skawinski
Aaron_Carlson
Steve C. Garske
Paul Skawinski
Merel R. Black
Paul E. Berry
Merel R. Black
Dennis W. Woodland
