![]() It flowers from June to August, and during that time, its nectar becomes a valuable food source for insects such as Brimstone butterflies and Elephant Hawk-moths. The flowers are pollinated by bees and other long-tongued insects. It has been introduced to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and many other parts of the world. It is widely distributed in eastern North America, where it prefers moist soils along watercourses. Purple loosestrife’s natural distribution includes Europe, Asia, and North America. It spreads both vertically and horizontally by seed dispersal and floating submerged seed into new areas that have moist soil or where roots have developed around drainage ditches. It is often found growing in groups on the shoreline of lakes with wet soil that has nutrients available for it to grow upon. Its flowers are very inconspicuous but can be seen along roadsides where they spread over the ground. Purple loosestrife can be found in wet habitats such as lakes, rivers, bogs, wetlands, and wet meadow areas. The flowers have five petals fused together into a bell shape that varies in colour from purple, red, orange or pink. ![]() The flowers of purple loosestrife form dense stands and grow either individually or in groups of two or three. These impressive spikes of magenta flowers bear clusters of flowers grouped in umbrella-like inflorescences. On the underside of the stem are conspicuous bright purple flower spikes hanging down throughout the lower part of the stem. The many tall stems are covered with fine hairs. The tall plant can reach two meters (6 feet) in height and 1 meter (3 feet) in width. Purple loosestrife is an erect plant with thick upright stems and roots. ![]() They are extremely similar in appearance and often hybridize when they are in close proximity. The two are known for forming impenetrable stands where they grow, causing havoc for native animals and neighbouring native plants. The closest relative of purple loosestrife is another invasive plant called yellow loosestrife (“Lythrum salicaria”). Purple loosestrife is an invasive perennial herbaceous plant that grows on the shores of lakes and rivers as well as in moist, shaded areas around ponds and marshes. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |