Lythrum salicaria

Species

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a long-lived, herbaceous perennial that is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. It was introduced to New Zealand as an ornamental plant and was first recorded in the wild (naturalised) in 1958. The plant typically grows 1–2 metres tall from a woody rootstock and has many upright stems with narrow leaves arranged in opposite pairs or whorls. It flowers from December to February, producing dense spikes of purple-magenta flowers, which develop into small seed capsules. It tolerates hot and cold conditions and a wide range of nutrient levels but does not tolerate salt water. It reproduces by seed and vegetatively from root and stem fragments. Seeds are dispersed by water, contaminated soil and machinery. The plant produces large quantities of seed, which can remain viable in the soil for up to three years.

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