Purple Loosestrife

Purple Loosestrife

Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria has become a problem in parts of North America. It was introduced from Europe and now forms extensive stands in marshes and lakeshores where it crowds out the native species. It is a sturdy plant with simple stalkless leaves in pairs or threes and slender spikes of pink-purple flowers that colour large areas of marsh. Each plant is capable of producing millions of tiny seeds. [CH] {GW}