Family: Lythraceae
purple loosestrife, spiked loosestrife
[Lythrum salicaria var. gracilior L., more...]
Matthew L. Wagner
Michael Clayton
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Lythrum: from Greek lythron meaning "blood," and alluding to the color of the flowers or to the reputed styptic (tending to contract or bind, tending to check bleeding) qualities of some species
Plants: erect, perennial, 1'-4' tall, semi-aquatic, emergent forb, stout, often in dense stands; stems angled with 4, 5, or more sides; roots woody
Leaves: 1 1/2"- 4 1/2" long, lance-like, stalkless, usually finely hairy, opposite or in whorls of 3
Flowers: purple to red, 6-parted, wrinkled, 1/2"-1" wide; inflorescence a 4"-16" tall, terminal, spike-like cluster (thryse) of small clumps of many flowers; blooms July-Sept.
Habitat: wet; meadows, shores, shallows
Invasiveness: Restricted Invasive - Eradicate!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized; ecologically invasive and nuisance weed
Plants: erect, perennial, 1'-4' tall, semi-aquatic, emergent forb, stout, often in dense stands; stems angled with 4, 5, or more sides; roots woody
Leaves: 1 1/2"- 4 1/2" long, lance-like, stalkless, usually finely hairy, opposite or in whorls of 3
Flowers: purple to red, 6-parted, wrinkled, 1/2"-1" wide; inflorescence a 4"-16" tall, terminal, spike-like cluster (thryse) of small clumps of many flowers; blooms July-Sept.
Habitat: wet; meadows, shores, shallows
Invasiveness: Restricted Invasive - Eradicate!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized; ecologically invasive and nuisance weed
Floristic Rating: Wetland Indicator = OBL Invasive And Exotic Species of North America: Descriptions, management issues, warnings, photos, etc. WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin invasive species including decription, habitats, control methods Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine: Information and Photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Invasive Plants: Photos, descriptions, information USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Wetland Plants: Photos, descriptions, information USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas: Descriptions, photos, management help, etc. Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Michael Clayton
Paul Drobot
Robert Bierman
Paul Drobot
Matthew L. Wagner
John M. Schoeneker
Robert W. Freckmann
Derek Anderson
Paul Skawinski
Derek Anderson
Kenneth J. Sytsma
Kurt Stüber
Caroline A. Creevey
Botancial Illustration
Botancial Illustration
Botancial Illustration
Aaron_Carlson
