Wetlands are the most biologically diverse, productive component of our ecosystem. Growing in dense thickets, loosestrife crowds out native plants that wildlife use for food, nesting, and hiding places, while having little or no value for wildlife itself. Types vary from stately plants suitable for borders to ones that serve as creeping groundcovers. Dense stands of purple loosestrife threaten plant and animal diversity. The flowering parts are used as medicine. Prevent the spread of purple loosestrife by inspecting equipment, boats, shoes, and other items that have been in contact with purple loosestrife-infested areas. Loosestrife plants grow from four to ten feet high, depending upon conditions, and produce a showy display of magenta-colored flower spikes throughout much of the summer Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial herb, with a square, woody stem and opposite or whorled leaves. Item number:  XHT1084. Purple loosestrife has square stems, which help to tell it apart from some of the look-alikes that grow in the same areas. These factors allow purple loosestrife to spread rapidly through wetlands and other areas where it chokes out other desirable native vegetation and eliminates open water habitat that is important to wildlife. This plant and the related entity italicized and indented above can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below.This plant may be known by one or more common names in different places, and some are listed above. Permits: If purple loosestrife is located in or along a water course, lake basin or wetland, a permit is probably required for control work. It will help to avoid the free radical … Its long stalks of purple flowers are a common sight in wetlands. Other names include spiked loosestrife and purple lythrum. People use purple loosestrife as a tea for diarrhea, intestinal problems, and bacterial infections.They also use it for swelling and as a drying agent. Is my garden variety (cultivar) of Purple Loosestrife safe? Spray the foliage with a solution containing 1% active ingredient, or apply to cut stems in a solution containing 3-10% active ingredient. Purple loosestrife is also capable of establishing in drier soils, and may spread to meadows and even pastured land. It can be safely taken by people of all ages and has been used to help arrest diarrhoea in breast-feeding babies. It can grow anywhere from 4 to 8 feet tall. HOW TO IDENTIFY PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE: Purple loosestrife is a tall, hot pink flower blooming right now, usually in dense stands in sunny wetlands. Read More. It was introduced from Europe in the 1800s as a perennial garden plant. Purple loosestrife is a plant. Lythrum salicaria, or purple loosestrife, is a flowering plant belonging to the family Lythraceae. This highly invasive plant was likely introduced when its seeds were included in soil used as ballast in European sailing ships and discarded in North America. This method is most useful on garden plantings or young infestations. Connect with your County Extension Office », Find an Extension employee in our staff directory », Get the latest news and updates on Extension's work around the state, Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: info@extension.wisc.edu | © 2020 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System Privacy Policy | Non-Discrimination Policy | Discrimination and Harassment Complaints | Disability Accommodation Requests | Civil Rights. Purple loosestrife, flower - Photo by Norman E. Rees; USDA, Agricultural Research Service. Always read and follow the directions on the label when using herbicide. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a flowering plant that is native to Europe and Asia. It grows in many habitats with wet soils, including marshes, pond and lakesides, along stream and river banks, and in ditches. It shouldn’t be confused with other plants whose common names are also loosestrife such as Fringed Loosestrife and Gooseneck Loosestrife, both members of the primrose family. Purple loosestrife stem tissue develops air spaces … Spring purple loosestrife stem tops and seed pods. Purple loosestrife is an erect, perennial herb, with a candelabrum of flowering branches at the top of the plant. Purple loosestrife is a plant. The Eurasian yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris), is an erect plant about 2 to 4 feet high. In wetlands, only apply herbicides registered for use in those areas. For more information on purple loosestrife:  Access the Wisconsin DNR website or  contact your county UW-Extension agent. Scientific Name: Lythrum salicaria L. (ITIS) Common Name: Purple loosestrife, spiked loosestrife. Small infestations can be controlled by removing all roots and underground stems. It can also be used to treat heavy periods and inter-menstrual bleeding. A mature plant can develop into a large clump of stems up to five feet in diameter. Biological control using insects that solely feed on purple loosestrife are also proving effective (see box below for more information). What is purple loosestrife? It was introduced from Europe in the 1800s as a perennial garden plant. The flowering parts are used as medicine. Small infestations can be removed with a shovel. Anti Oxidant. salicaire. Even if … What does purple loosestrife look like? Revised:  4/27/2004 The Eurasian forb purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, is an erect, branching, perennial that has invaded temperate wetlands throughout North America. We teach, learn, lead and serve, connecting people with the University of Wisconsin, and engaging with them in transforming lives and communities. Purple loosestrife is an astringent herb that is mainly employed as a treatment for diarrhoea and dysentery. Purple loosestrife may bloom from July all the way into early September. Purple loosestrife was introduced to North America in the 1800s for beekeeping, as an ornamental plant, and in discarded soil used as ballast on ships. The branched stem has pairs of tapering leaves which end in terminal clusters of deep, yellow-gold flowers. Flowers vary, too; they can be shaped like cups, saucers, or stars, and come in shades of white, yellow, pink, and purple. Take care to prevent further seed spread from clothing or equipment during the removal process. All control methods will likely need to be repeated for several years. Hundreds of species of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, fish and amphibians rely on healthy wetland habitat for their survival. Encourage your community to scout for and remove any purple loosestrife in your area. Mass Audubon is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 04-2104702) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. By the late 1800s, purple loosestrife had spread throughout the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, … rainbow weed. Subscribe to our e-news for the latest events, updates and info. Purple loosestrife's beauty is deceptive: it is killing our nation's wetlands. It was introduced to the United States and Canada as an ornamental for wetlands in the 1800s. Galerucella beetles have been introduced under a state-sponsored program, and have successfully suppressed this plant in many areas. The stems are erect (1.5 to 8 or more feet tall) and four to six angled, and can be smooth or pubescent with few branches. Each plant can produce from one to 50 flowering stems. People use purple loosestrife as a tea for diarrhea, intestinal problems, and bacterial infections. Purple loosestrife can produce more than two million tiny seeds per plant. They also use it for swelling and as a drying agent. It has opposite leaves that are long and narrow with pointed tips, smooth edges, and heart-shaped bases that … Lisa Johnson, Dane County UW-Extension Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a fast-spreading, tall Eurasian plant that grows primarily in wetlands and ditches, but can invade home gardens. Application of a systemic herbicide to freshly cut stems or as a foliar spray is generally effective. spiked loosestrife. Glyphosate-containing herbicides are recommended for chemical control. Imported in the 1800s for ornamental and medicinal uses, purple loosestrife poses a serious threat to wetlands because of its prolific reproduction. Purple loosestrife is a very hardy perennial which can rapidly degrade wetlands, diminishing their value for wildlife habitat. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria) is an invasive wetland plant that is beautiful, but dangerous. purple lythrum. Its long stalks of purple flowers are a common sight in wetlands. The root system consists of a very thick and hard taproot, and spreading lateral roots. It has branched, flowering, square stems and opposite leaves. A perennial from Europe, purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) usually grows from 3-5 feet tall, but can reach a height of up to 7 feet. Leaves are simple (0.75 to 4 inches long, 0.2 to 0.5 inch wide), entire, and can be opposite or whorled. Purple Loosestrife is on Michigan's Invasive Species watch list.It blooms a cluster of purple flowers that can grow to be 4-10 feet tall and persist throughout the summer. Be sure no portions of roots or stems remain. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial herb that usually grows two to six feet tall. The flowers have five to seven petals that flare back, and occur up and down the flowering stem rather than all at the top, like phlox. Purple loosestrife has a wide tolerance of environmental conditions and spreads by seed as well as by aggressive rhizomes. Each stem is four- to six-sided. It was likely introduced in the 1800s unintentionally with shipments of livestock, and intentionally for its medicinal value and use in gardens. Purple loosestrife has narrow leaves that are arranged opposite each other on the stem. People use purple loosestrife as a tea for diarrhea , menstrual problems, and bacterial infections . Native To: Eurasia (Munger 2002) Date of U.S. Introduction: Exact date … Donations to Mass Audubon are tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law. An Aquatic Nuisance Control (ANC) permit is required for chemical control of purple loosestrife within the boundaries of the state's protected waters. For small populations, hand pulling can be effective. Herbicides containing the active ingredient triclopyr, formulated for water dilution are also effective. The flowers are magenta, and they are found on tall, narrow spikes from July to October. Between 2000 and 2008, the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) engaged in the control of the invasive species Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) through the Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Project. Although this plant or its cultivars are sometimes still sold in garden centers, it is illegal to sell, distribute or cultivate this plant or its seeds in Wisconsin. Loosestrife is a large plant family with more than 150 species of herbaceous and evergreen perennials. Purple loosestrife is a tall, perennial wetland plant with reddish-purple flowers, which may be found in sunny wetlands, wet meadows, river and stream banks, ponds edges, reservoirs, and ditches. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a woody half-shrub, wetland perennial that has the ability to out-compete most native species in BC’s wetland ecosystems. The leaves attach to its stem in an alternating pattern. Do NOT bring orphaned or injured wildlife to Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries. Purple loosestrife is a rhizomatous perennial forb. It should not be confused with other plants sharing the name loosestrife that are members of the family Primulaceae. Purple loosestrife's appearance is similar to fireweed and spirea and is sometimes found growing with … Remo… It is difficult to remove all of the roots in a single digging, so monitor the area for several growing seasons to ensure that purple loosestrife has not regrown from roots or seed. Purple loosestrife is a wetland plant native to Europe and Asia that was brought to North America the early 19 th century. No. An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements. Purple loosestrife usually grows to a height of 3 to 7 ft., but it can grow as tall as 12 ft. In addition, the insects and diseases that keep the plant’s population in check in its homeland are not present in North America. Flowers are magenta pink and have five to seven narrow petals. Wild infestations are associated with moist or marshy sites. The Purple Loosestrife flower inhabits reed swamps, margins of lakes and slow-flowing rivers, ditches and marshes. (click image to enlarge) Spring purple loosestrife and native wetland look-a-like stems from left: two-year-old plant, one-year-old plant, Steeplebush ( Spiraea tomentosa ), Swamp Loosestrife ( Decodon verticillatus ), Great Water Dock ( Rumex britannica ). Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria, L. virgatum and any combination thereof) is listed as a MDA Prohibited Noxious Weed (Control List) and a prohibited invasive species in Minnesota, which means it is unlawful (a misdemeanor) to possess, import, purchase, transport or introduce this species except under a permit for disposal, control, research or education. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is not native to North America, but was introduced from Europe. Purple loosestrife is a plant. Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria Rosy Gem) - This attractive perennial produces a showy display of carmine-colored flower spikes throughout much of the summer. Originally many garden varieties of … Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a perennial wetland herb that grows in sunny wetlands, ditches, around farm ponds and in other disturbed habitat. A single purple loosestrife plant can produce a million or more small seeds that are spread by water and waterfowl. The flowering parts are used as medicine. How can I control purple loosestrife? Purple loosestrife is typically found invading lakeshores, wetlands, ponds, and wet pastures and ditches. A perennial from Europe, purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)usually grows from 3-5 feet tall, but can reach a height of up to 7 feet. Control of invasive plants in wetlands is subject to the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act; anyone planning such work should first check with the conservation commission in the local community. Seeds are easily spread by wind and water, remaining viable in the soil for many years. It invades wetlands, often forming dense colonies that exclude native plants. The edges of the petals don’t have the same fringe of hairs as seen in L. punctata, and sepals are hairy with a conspicuous orange margin The flower spreads through rhizomes to form colonies and does not usually produce seeds. It can live for many years, usually becoming tough and fibrous at the base. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a fast-spreading, tall Eurasian plant that grows primarily in wetlands and ditches, but can invade home gardens. Repeated cutting can prevent seed production and may eventually kill the plants. The plant also has a thick taproot with fibrous rhizomes that form a dense mat, making it difficult to remove. A wetland with lots of purple loosestrife is soon a wetland with little wildlife. The flower is famous as a good anti oxidant source. It is native to Europe and Asia, and is responsible for a considerable amount of the degradation to wetlands throughout the United States. Dispose of plants and roots by drying and burning or by composting in an enclosed area. Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: © 2020 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. Definition of purple loosestrife : a perennial Eurasian marsh herb (Lythrum salicaria) of the loosestrife family that is naturalized in eastern North America and has long spikes of purple flowers Examples of purple loosestrife in a Sentence Learn More. It prefers full sun, but can grow in partially shaded environments. In winter months, dead brown flower stalks remain with old seed capsules visible on the tips. It is native to Europe and was accidentally introduced into North America in the mid-1800s.