Not to humans. The preceding description provides characteristics of purple loosestrife that may be relevant to fire ecology and is not meant to be used for identification. Description. Purple loosestrife is an emergent aquatic plant. Keys for identifying purple loosestrife are available in various floras (e.g. The flowering parts are used as medicine. [ 57 , 71 ]). Description of Values. Description: Purple loosestrife has angled 20-59 inch (50-150 em) tall stems that emerge from a woody rootstock. A red hair dye was once made from the flowers REF. Purple loosestrife is an erect perennial herb that usually grows two to six feet tall. Description: When mature (after 3-5 years), purple loosestrife may be over 2 m tall. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) is a perennial, rhizomatous forb that invades riparian areas and other waterways throughout most of the U.S. and southern Canada (Figure 1).The plant was first introduced into North America in the early 1800s as an ornamental and subsequently escaped cultivation. Overview Information Purple loosestrife is a plant. Description. Description: Robust, perennial herb, 4-6', base of mature plant feels woody.Leaves: Simple, opposite or whorled, lanceolate to oblong, entire, sessile. General Description. A mature plant can develop into a large clump of stems up to five feet in diameter. The stem is 4 to 6 sided, with leaves that are opposite and sometimes have smaller leaves coming out at the […] Gallery: Common names: Purple loosestrife, purple lythrum, spiked loosestrife Scientific Name: Lythrum salicaria Description: Purple loosestrife is an herbaceous wetland plant in the Lythraceae (loosestrife) family. Flowers are showy and magenta with 5 to 7 petals. Lythrum salicaria L. Purple Loosestrife is a Eurasian perennial plant that was accidentally introduced into North America in the early 1800's.. It can reach up to 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide and has a persistent, perennial tap root and spreading rootstock. It is believed to have been first introduced into the U.S. from seed contained in ships’ ballast, and it became established in certain estuaries in the northeastern states by the early 1800s. Lance-shaped 1-4 inch (3-lO cm,) long leaves attach directly to the stem, and often have fine hairs on their surface. Lythrum salicaria, commonly called purple loosestrife, is a clump-forming wetland perennial that is native to Europe and Asia.
Purple loosestrife is a rhizomatous perennial forb introduced to North America from Eurasia and Africa. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is an invasive perennial plant that is spreading rapidly in North American wetlands, shorelines, and roadside ditches. A species profile for Purple loosestrife, spiked loosestrife. General Description. It can reach up to 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide and has a persistent, perennial tap root and spreading rootstock. However, they can be alternate or found in whorls of three. 2019 Status in Maine: Widespread.Very Invasive. It has showy, upright clusters of purple flowers. One plant may have over 30 flowering stems.