Purple Loosestrife

(Lythrum salicaria)

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Alexis

CC BY 4.0

Image By: Alexis

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Lythrum salicaria, commonly known as Purple Loosestrife, is a deciduous perennial herb native to wetlands, riverbanks, and damp meadows across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North Africa. It typically grows 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in) tall and forms clonal colonies 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) or more in width. The plant features numerous erect stems emerging from a woody root mass. Purple Loosestrife is characterized by its showy spikes of reddish-purple flowers, each 10–20 millimeters in diameter, with six petals (occasionally five) and 12 stamens, densely clustered in the axils of bracts or leaves. The flowers are highly attractive to a variety of insects, facilitating a generalized pollination syndrome. The flowering period extends throughout the summer months. Notably, the leaves may turn a vivid red as they dehydrate in early autumn, a display that can persist for nearly two weeks.

Purple Loosestrife is valued for its striking floral displays and ability to adapt to various moisture levels, making it a popular choice for ornamental water gardens and naturalistic plantings. It thrives in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. While it prefers wet conditions, it is adaptable to drier soils, provided they are kept moist. The plant’s adaptability, however, also makes it a potential invasive species outside its native range, where it can outcompete native vegetation and disrupt local ecosystems. Gardeners should be cautious and check local regulations before planting. In areas where it is not invasive, it can serve as an excellent choice for adding color to bog gardens, pond margins, and other water features.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 2-4 feet
Width: 2-4 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: Purple
Flowering Season: Spring, Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium, High
Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Hummingbird Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

native to wetlands, riverbanks, and damp meadows across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North Africa

Other Names

Common Names: Purple Lythrum , Spiked Loosestrife , Kattehale , Blut-Weiderich , Blutweiderich , Salicaire , Lythrum Salicaire , Salicaire Commune , Kattenstaart , Grote Kattenstaart

Scientific Names: Lythrum salicaria , Lythrum salicaria var. genuinum , Lythrum tomentosum , Lythrum salicaria var. salicaria , Lythrum salicaria var. gracile , Lythrum salicarium , Lythrum salicaria f. albiflora , Lythrum salicaria f. angustius

GBIF Accepted Name: Lythrum salicaria L.