 |
|
| Species: | Lysimachia
thyrsiflora L., tufted loosestrife Lysimachia vulgaris L., garden loosestrife |
| Family: | Primulaceae |
| Tufted
loosestrife and garden loosestrife are perennial shoreline
plants that can be easily distinguished from other shoreline plants by
their leaves and yellow flowers. Tufted loosestrife has willow-like
stalkless leaves in an opposite arrangement. The flowers grow in
clusters on stalks originating from the leaf bases. Garden loosestrife
has leaves on short stalks with an irregular arrangement. The flowers
grow at the tip of the plant and from the bases of the upper leaves.
Garden loosestrife is a noxious weed in Washington. |
|
   |
|
|
Leaf: Tufted loosestrife:
the opposite stalkless leaves are several times longer than wide (5-12
cm long), have tiny dark dots, and taper to a pointed tip. Garden
loosestrife: the 8-12 cm long leaves may appear opposite,
alternate, or in whorls; are on short stalks, have soft hairs beneath;
and tiny dark dots.
Stem: Leafy, erect and unbranched. Tufted loosestrife: 20 to 80 cm long and without hair. Garden loosestrife: up to 1 m long with short soft hairs. Flower: Yellow, 5 petals. Tufted loosestrife: compact bottle-brush like clusters of small flowers originate from lower leaf bases; the petals have small purple dots or streaks. Garden loosestrife: showy flowers 12-15 mm wide in spikes at the plant tip and on stalks from the base of the upper leaves. Fruit: The egg-shaped capsule contains few seeds. Root: Roots arise from creeping stems that grow partly or completely underground (rhizomes). Propagation: Seeds, rhizomes. Importance of plant: Garden loosestrife is classified as a noxious weed in Washington state. It has been used medicinally in Asia for high blood pressure. Distribution: Tufted loosestrife: Native to North America and Eurasia. Garden loosestrife: Eurasia, and introduced in North America. In Washington, found in a few locations in eastern and western Washington. Habitat: Marshes, shorelines of lakes and ponds. Occasionally along streams. May be confused with: Purple
loosestrife (Lythrum
salicaria) Photographs: Lysimachia thyrsiflora, Lysimachia vulgaris, Lysimachia vulgaris closeup Line Drawings: None available |
|
|
Go to Aquatic Weed Control Home Page Email Aquatic Weed Control Aquatic Weed Control Seattle, Washington (866) 4-MILFOIL Toll Free (206) 772-6036 Local (206) 374-2979 Fax www.awc-america.com ©2004 Aquatic Weed Control LLC No part of this online utility may be used, duplicated, or copied without the express written permission of Aquatic Weed Control LLC except for personal use by private homeowners. Photos and drawings are compyrighted by thier respective owners. See WA DOE web site for owner, copyright, and source information. |
|
if not blooming, but purple
loosestrife has square stems. Another related plant, moneywort (Lysimachia
nummularia) also occurs in Washington wetlands, but has smooth
round leaves and a trailing growth habit.