7/25/2023 0 Comments Loose strife![]() ![]() Its deciduous foliage comprises willowy green leaves which grow in oppositional pairs around the woody, square-shaped, hair-covered stems, from spring through to late summer. The hermaphroditic flowers are each comprised of around six somewhat irregular petals which emerge upwards from the stem in elongated, spiky racemes, which reach between 10 – 40 cm tall.Įach flower possesses stamen of variable lengths and styles to encourage cross-pollination rather than self-pollination. Purple loosestrife, as the name suggests, is identified by a dense fuchsia-hued spectrum of vibrant flowers reaching upwards in a spire-like manner, which endure throughout the summer months of June to August. s alicaria ’s low-maintenance beauty makes a fantastic addition to cottage-style, informal, and naturalistic gardens, whilst its towering, spiked blooms add structure and drama to wildflower gardens, water gardens, and meadows. In gardens, it is best cultivated in moist, sunny borders, or on the periphery of ponds. In its native Eurasia, purple loosestrife can be found growing abundantly around areas of freshwater, such as riverbanks, marshlands, canals, lakes, and bogs. As the common name implies, loosestrife was believed to remove strife and potential disputes between cattle herds during the time of Alexander the Great. The species name s alicaria, derived from the Latin Salix, meaning ‘willow-like’, is inspired by the shape of the leaves. The genus name Lythrum is derived from the Greek Lythron for blood, either for the seemingly haemostatic properties of the plants or the deep, often reddish, shades of their flowers. It belongs to the Lythraceae family of annual and perennial herbs, shrubs, and trees which are generally found near water. ![]() s alicaria is also known colloquially as long purples, purple grass, rainbow weed, rose loosestrife, sage willow, spiked loosestrife, and willow weed. Most commonly named purple loosestrife, L. Lythrum salicaria is a hardy, herbaceous perennial native to Eurasia and the British Isles. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Visit find a nursery in your area.1.7 Where to Buy Purple Loosestrife & Seeds? (UK & US) Purple loosestrife can usually be found close to freshwater areas, such as riverbanks, marshlands, bogs, and canals. Plants are often available from nurseries that specialize in Florida native plants. Winged loosestrife seeds are occasionally available from the Florida Wildflower and Seed Growers Cooperative. Occasional pruning will help keep the plant looking neat. It may spread on its own via underground rhizomes. It is easy to grow in the right conditions, but it is not salt- or drought-tolerant. Garden tips: Winged loosestrife is suitable for moist to wet wildflower gardens, naturalistic landscapes and habitat restoration. To see where natural populations of Winged loosestrife have been vouchered, visit. Native range: Nearly throughout Eastern panhandle and peninsula The species epithet alatum is from the Latin āla ( alatus), meaning “winged,” and refers to the winged stems. The genus name Lythrum comes from the Greek lythron, meaning “gore” or “blood,” and may allude to the flower color of some species. Fruit is a dehiscent capsule with many time seeds. ![]() Lower stems are woody, upper stems herbaceous. Stems are 4-sided with slightly raised wings. They are mostly alternately arranged but may be opposite. Leaves are sessile, lanceolate to elliptic, with entire margins. Calyces are 6- lobed and partially fused, forming a tube. Stamens (also 6) have pink filaments and purple or green anthers. They have 6 purple to pinkish petals, each with a magenta midvein. It occurs naturally in freshwater marshes and wet flatwoods, prairies and roadside ditches throughout much of Florida.įlowers may be born singly or in pairs on spike-like racemes. It typically blooms in summer and attracts a plethora of pollinators. Winged loosestrife ( Lythrum alatum) is a fast-growing subshrub with many star-shaped flowers. Click on terms for botanical definitions. Pictured above: Winged loosestrife ( Lythrum alatum) by Eleanor Dietrich. ![]()
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