In what color does loosestrife actually flower, how long does the flower last and in which location does it feel most comfortable? Do you know the answers? Once you have studied our profile, these questions will no longer cause you any problems. Here you can find out everything you need to know about care and other interesting facts about the perennial. We have put together informative features in a clear manner.

Purple loosestrife grows best near the shore

General

  • Latin name: Lythrum salicaria
  • Synonyms: common loosestrife, common yellow loosestrife
  • Origin: local
  • Plant family: loosestrife family (Lythraceae)
  • Special feature: tolerates waterlogging, reproduces rapidly through birds and the wind (asexual reproduction)
  • several species?: over 40 varieties
  • hardy?: yes
  • poisonous?: no (no risk of confusion with similar-looking poisonous plants)

Happen

Would you have thought that unlike most plants, purple loosestrife is considered a neophyte in North America of all places? The perennial is native to Europe, Asia and the Australian continent.

use

  • as bank greening
  • as a pond plant (in shallow water, up to 20 cm deep)
  • growing wild in bogs, on beaches or on damp meadows
  • insect pasture
  • formerly often for medical purposes

lighting conditions at the location

  • sunny
  • Partial shade is tolerated

substrate

  • humorous
  • nutritious
  • sandy
  • moist to wet soil

Optical features

growth habit

  • Growth height: 40 cm to 200 cm
  • Growth form: herbaceous

blossom

  • Flower color: crimson with a bluish red shimmering crown
  • Flowering time: June to September (some varieties only until August)
  • Shape: candle-shaped with 5 to 6 petals, double-serrated axis cup

Note: Did you know that purple loosestrife has three different types of flowers? It has flowers with long styles and short stamens, flowers with medium-length styles and short stamens, and a third type with short styles and long to medium-length stamens. In botany, this phenomenon is referred to as a trimorphic heterostyly. In addition, the pollen color of the individual species differs. Some are green and large, others are yellow and slightly smaller.

leaves

  • Shape: narrow to ovate, heart-shaped, sometimes also round
  • Arrangement: depending on the species opposite, whorled or alternate
  • hairy
  • Color green

fruit

  • Type: Capsules
  • Shape: ovoid
  • Size: 3 to 4mm

Category:

Herbs