4. The Eurasian forb purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, is an erect, branching, perennial that has invaded temperate wetlands throughout North America. Purple loosestrife, also commonly referred to as lythrum, is a robust, perennial forb invasive in riparian areas and wetlands (see Figure 1). Dense growth along shoreland areas makes it difficult to access open water. Considered regionally noxious under the BC Weed Control Act, purple loosestrife is found in wet areas at low- to mid-elevations, growing in ditches, irrigation canals, marshes, stream and lake shorelines and shallow ponds. Thick stands of purple loosestrife crowd out native plants and reduce food, shelter, and nesting sites for wildlife, birds, turtles, and frogs. Plants were brought to North America by settlers for their flower gardens, and seeds were present in the ballast holds of European ships that used soil to weigh down the vessels for stability on the ocean. Invasive species cause recreational, economic and ecological damage—changing how residents and visitors use and enjoy Minnesota waters.Purple loosestrife impacts: 1. Provides unsuitable shelter, food, and nesting habitat for native animals. Overtakes habitat and outcompetes native aquatic plants, potentially lowering diversity. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is an invasive perennial plant that is spreading rapidly in North American wetlands, shorelines, and roadside ditches. It is native to Europe and Asia, and is responsible for a considerable amount of the degradation to wetlands throughout the United States. 2. Purple loosestrife is also capable of establishing in drier soils, and may spread to meadows and even pastured land. It prefers full sun, but can grow in partially shaded environments. It grows in many habitats with wet soils, including marshes, pond and lakesides, along stream and river banks, and in ditches.

It is common in the Lower Fraser Valley and frequent on southern Vancouver Island and in the Okanagan. Purple loosestrife is a tall, perennial wetland plant with reddish-purple flowers, which may be found in sunny wetlands, wet meadows, river and stream banks, ponds edges, reservoirs, and ditches. Purple Loosestrife Invasive Species Alert - Printable PDF MDARD Weed Risk Assessment for Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) - This document evaluates the invasive potential of the plant species using information based on establishment, spread and potential to cause harm.

3. See also: Invasive Plant Fact Sheets for plant species (trees, shrubs, vines, herbs and aquatic plants) that have impacted the state's natural lands Dense root systems change the hydrology of wetlands. Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania: Purple Loosestrife (PDF | 128 KB) Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It reproduces both by seed and buds on spreading roots. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), a beautiful but aggressive invader, arrived in eastern North America in the early 1800’s.