Lythrum salicariaL. Purple Loosestrife

Lythrum salicariaL. - Purple Loosestrife

Scientific Description:

Stout, ± densely pubescent perennial; stems 20−180 cm, winged, sparingly branched. Leaves 10−70 mm, ovate to narrowly lanceolate, truncate to subcordate at base, sessile. Inflorescence a ± dense verticillate spike. Flowers 3−8, in axillary cymose whorls, trimorphic; hypanthium 4−5 mm, broadly tubular in flower and fruit; epicalyx segments 2.5−3.5 mm, subulate; sepals 0.5−1 mm, dentate; petals 8−12 mm, purple; stamens 12. Capsule 3−4 mm, ovoid, included within the hypanthium.

 

Flowering time: June−August.

Habitat: Wet places by lakes and streams, dry river beds, etc., 100−2000 m.

 

Reference:
Chamberlain DF (1972). Lythrum salicaria L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 4: 175.

Public Description:

Lythrum salicaria, known as “purple loosestrife”, is native to Europe, Asia, northwest Africa, and southeastern Australia. It is a herbaceous perennial plant with reddish-purple or red to purple colors flowers, up to 180 cm in length. The stems are reddish-purple or red to purple. It blooms between June and August and is found in wet places by lakes and streams, dry river beds. The purple loosestrife is used as ornamental plants. However, it is an invasive exotic weed of wetlands throughout Canada and the United States.

 

References:

Anonymous (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lythrum_salicaria, Accessed date: 27.02.2016.

Aydınkal R M (2012). Lythrum L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 616.