Latin Name: Lythrum salicaria

Flower: Tall, showy spikes of purple or magenta flowers that bloom from midsummer through fall.

Leaves: Opposite or whorled, lance-shaped, and smooth-edged.

Stems: Erect, square, and slightly woody, growing up to 2 meters tall.

Growing Environment: Prefers moist, well-drained soils in wetlands, along riverbanks, and in disturbed areas.

Growth Habit: A perennial herb that spreads aggressively through seeds and creeping rhizomes, forming dense colonies in moist habitats. In situ, purple loosestrife creates towering stands of purple flowers, often dominating wetlands and riparian zones.