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Invasive Plant Details

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Garden Loosestrife

Latin Name: Lysimachia vulgaris

Priority Ranking: High Priority

Identification

Flower: Bright yellow, star-shaped flowers in dense clusters at the tops of stems, blooming from midsummer through early fall.

Leaves: Opposite or whorled, lance-shaped leaves that are smooth and dark green and dotted with black or orange glands on the underside.

Stems: Erect, unbranched, and slightly hairy, growing up to 1.5 meters tall.

Growing Environment: Prefers moist, well-drained soils in wetlands, gardens, and along streambanks.

Growth Habit: A perennial herb that spreads aggressively through both seeds and rhizomes. It forms dense clumps or colonies, often in moist habitats. In situ, garden yellow loosestrife appears as tall, bright, yellow-flowered stands, often forming large patches in wetlands or near water bodies.

Priority Ranking: High Priority

Impacts on Environment

Impacts: Moderately invasive, particularly in wetlands and moist areas, where it can displace native vegetation.

Photo Credits: freenatureimages.eu - Jan van der Straaten, Hans Boll, Ed Stikvoort