Posted on 11.29.21 by Harney SWCD

Instead of asking “Where does purple loosestrife grow?” it might be easier to ask where it doesn’t grow.  This beautiful flower (weed) can be found in the U.S., except Hawaii, South Carolina, Florida, and  U.S. territories.  Otherwise, any part of a state that has a wetland is a potential home. 

Purple loosestrife is a member of the Lythraceae family and is native to central Europe.  How it came to live in the U.S. is not known, but since it’s pretty it may be an escaped garden plant.  As with most invasives, what makes it a noxious weed is pushing out native plants that wildlife feed on.

The flowers have five to seven petals and it grows up to 2 feet tall.  Its roots are thick and woody.

The plant can be treated with herbicides and biocontrols (weevils that feed on leaves, roots or flowers).