Lythrum salicaria L., purple loosestrife, salicaire commune
Persistent perennial; stems 1 to 9 feet (3 to 27 dm.) high;
sometimes 30 to 50 stems from a single root; flowers purple;
throughout, but most common in the maritime-east, east, and
maritime-west; in areas that are temporarily flooded in the
springtime when the roots are dormant; it is not an aquatic, not
being able to survive if submersed during its active growing
period; introduced from Europe. It first appeared in North
America in the early 1800s, and has since become a dominant
plant in some habitats. Fireweed is sometimes mistaken for purple loosestrife (see photos of fireweed under Onagraceae-evening-primrose family).
Click on a photo to view an enlarged image.
Weed Name
Photo
Weed Name
Photo
purple loosestrife, salicaire commune
purple loosestrife, salicaire commune
purple loosestrife, salicaire commune (inflorescence close up)
purple loosestrife, salicaire commune (flower close up)
purple loosestrife, salicaire commune (seedling)
purple loosestrife, salicaire commune (in field)
purple loosestrife, salicaire commune (a large stand)
.JPG)
