Seasonal Wild Flowers

Purple-loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria

Lythraceae

June to August

It is found throughout the country except for parts of the North.

See the BSBI distribution map for Purple-loosestrife

Purple-loosestrife grows at the margins of fresh water streams,

rivers, lakes and canals, and in wet non-acid soils.

It is a striking, native, perennial herb, growing up to 150cm.

Flowers are in whorls in the axils of bracts on flowering spikes up

to 30cm long.

Flowers are purple / pink, up to 15mm across with 6 petals, one

style and 12 stamens.

There are three types of flower:

a. Style short, stamens short and medium.

b. Style medium, stamens long and short.

c. Style long, stamens short and medium.

The calyx is a tube with conspicuous teeth.

Leaves are up to 7cm long, lanceolate and sessile.

Fruits are capsuls 3-4mm.

Purple-loosestrife is an importantr invasive alien in the

US and Canada.

Purple-loosestrife by Carter lake, Lancaster

Flower spike

Flowers in whorls in axils of bracts

Flowers with stamens longer than style

Flowers with long stile and medium stamens

Flower - long stile and short stamens

Calyx and capsules

Leaves and bracts