Purple Loosestrife

Genus: Lythrum

Species: salicaria

Description: Long showy spikes of purple flowers 2-3 meters (6-10 ft) tall with 30-50 square stems. Loosestrife flowers July through September.

Where it grows: Grows in wetlands and along lakes, streams, rivers and creeks.

How it spreads: Vegetativley by root or stem pieces, tiny seeds are carried by wind and water.

What it threatens: Colonizes and eliminates wetland and open-water habitats. It also clogs drainage ditches and irrigation canals.

Control: Individual plants and clusters of up to 100 plants younger plants (1-2 years old) can be hand-pulled. Use care not to scatter seed when pulling plants after flowering.

 

• Pull and properly dispose of plants and roots growing in your yard, streamside or wetland.
• Report purple loosetrife to the Clean Water Services Invasive Species Coordinator at (503) 681-3600 or info@cleanwaterservices.org.

More information: 4 County Cooperative Weed Management Association

Disclaimer - Clean Water Services does not endorse or recommend specific herbicides for use in controlling these species. To protect water quality, always follow herbicide label directions and obey application laws when using any herbicide.