Purple Loosestrife
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Purple Loosestrife
Lythraceae (Loosestrife Family)
Class A Weed
Purple Loosestrife management
Description: Purple loosestrife is a rhizomatous creeping perennial, often reaching heights of 6 to 8 feet. Usually associated with moist or marshy sites, this semi-aquatic plant has stems that usually have four sides, and many branches. Leaves can be opposite or whorled, lance-shaped, entire, pubescent, and attached directly to the stem. The flowering inflorescence has multiple flowers arranged along the central axis. The rose-purple flower have 5 to 7 petals. A single plant can produce more than 2.5 million seeds per year.
Origin: Europe; introduced as an ornamental that has escaped into aquatic sites
Key Characteristics:
- Multiple flowers on a central flowering axis
- Found near aquatic sites
- Four-sided stem
Distribution: Purple loosestrife is limited in its present distribution, but this weed should be kept in check. Due to its competitive nature, dense populations can alter an ecosytem.
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