Purple Loosestrife in the Fox River
Purple Loosestrife
was introduced to the northeastern U.S. and Canada in
the 1800s, for ornamental and medicinal uses. It is still widely
sold as an ornamental, except in states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin,
and Illinois where regulations now prohibit its sale, purchase
and distribution.
Purple Loosestrife is a
Eurasian plant. That means the plant is from Europe or Asia.
Purple Loosestrife was then naturalized in North America. It's
genus species is Lythrum salicaria. Purple loosestrife is an
erect perennial herb in the loosestrife family, with a square,
woody stem and opposite or whorled leaves. Loosestrife plants
grow 
from
four to ten feet high, depending upon conditions. Purple loosestrife
adapts readily to natural and disturbed wetlands. As it establishes
and expands, it outcompetes and replaces native grasses, sedges,
and other flowering plants that provide a higher quality source
of nutrition for wildlife. The highly invasive nature of purple
loosestrife allows it to form dense, homogeneous stands that
restrict native wetland plant species, including some federally
endangered orchids, and reduce habitat for waterfowl.
Purple Loosestrife adapts readily to natural and disturbed wetlands. As it establishes and expands, it outcompetes and replaces native grasses, sedges, and other flowering plants that provide a higher quality source of nutrition for wildlife. Purple Loosestrife is capable of invading many wetland types, including freshwater wet meadows, tidal and non-tidal marshes, river and stream banks, pond edges, reservoirs, and ditches. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, purple loosestrife now occurs in every state except Florida.
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