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Lythrum salicaria
  • Purple Loosestrife

a perennial member of the Lythrum genus in the family Lythraceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsaquatic
    Aquatic
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Lythrum salicaria has 0 edible uses listed
Lythrum salicaria has 0 material uses listed
Lythrum salicaria has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - cooked[1][2][3][4]. Rich in calcium[5].

Root - cooked[1].

An edible dye is obtained from the flowers[1].

Unknown part

Colouring

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

A decoction of the plant is impregnated into wood, rope etc to prevent it rotting in water[6]. The leaves contain about 12% tannin, the stems 10.5%, the flowers 13.7% and the roots 8.5%[7]. It is probably these tannins that preserve the wood etc[7]. The powdered plant is used cosmetically in face-packs to counteract reddened skin[8].

Unknown part

Cosmetic
Dye
Preservative
Tannin
Dental care

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Purple loosestrife is an astringent herb that is mainly employed as a treatment for diarrhoea and dysentery. It can be safely taken by people of all ages and has been used to help arrest diarrhoea in breast-feeding babies[9]. It can also be used to treat heavy periods and inter-menstrual bleeding[9]. Modern research has shown the whole plant to be antibiotic and to be particularly effective against the micro-organism that causes typhus[9].

The flowering plant is antibiotic, highly astringent, hypoglycaemic, styptic and vulnerary[10][8][11][12][13][7][14]. It is valued as an intestinal disinfectant, especially in cases of enteritis[8], an infusion is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, internal bleeding, excessive menstruation etc[11][15][14]. The flowering plant is harvested in the summer and can be used fresh or dried[11]. Externally, the plant is used as a cleansing and healing wash for wounds, sores, impetigo, eczema, excess vaginal discharge, vaginal itching etc[8][15][14][9]. The powdered plant is used as a haemostatic in cases of severe nosebleeds[8].

The stems are regarded as gum stimulators and are given to children to chew in order to strengthen weak or bleeding gums[8].

Unknown part

Antibiotic
Astringent
Hypoglycaemic
Styptic
Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow in the autumn or the spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

If you have sufficient seed it could be worthwhile trying a sowing in situ in the autumn or the spring. Division in March or October[16]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Basal cuttings in the spring[14]. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Lythrum salicaria. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil, especially if it is damp[17]. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[14]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Grows well in marshy soils[18] and succeeds in shallow water at the edges of ponds[19]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[16].

A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c[20]. This species can be very invasive and has been declared a noxious weed in some countries. Since being introduced in N. America it has invaded native marshlands, florming large areas of dense stands and crowding out many native species[21]. A very ornamental plant[17]. A good bee and butterfly plant[18].

Plants usually self-sow when well sited[22].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Lythrum salicaria. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Lythrum salicaria.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Lythrum salicaria
Genus
Lythrum
Family
Lythraceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[9][10][8][11][12][13][7][14][15]
Material uses & Functions
[6][7][8]
Botanic
[23][22]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
aquatic
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x 0.5 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees, Flies
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Lythrum salicaria.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lythrum salicaria.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Lythrum salicaria.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Lythrum salicaria.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Lythrum salicaria.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lythrum salicaria.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lythrum salicaria.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lythrum salicaria.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lythrum salicaria.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lythrum salicaria.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lythrum salicaria.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.7 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Australian Medicinal Plants. ()
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.5 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.2 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.1 Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
    19. ? Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants. E. P. Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7158-0789-7 (1982-00-00)
    20. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    21. ? Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
    22. ? 22.022.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    23. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Lythrum_salicaria&oldid=78507"
    Facts about "Lythrum salicaria"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLythraceae +
    Belongs to genusLythrum +
    Has binomial nameLythrum salicaria +
    Has common namePurple Loosestrife +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves + and Root +
    Has edible useColouring + and Unknown use +
    Has fertility typeBees + and Flies +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone3 +
    Has imageLythrum salicaria.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useCosmetic +, Dye +, Preservative +, Tannin + and Dental care +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has mature width0.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntibiotic +, Astringent +, Hypoglycaemic +, Styptic + and Vulnerary +
    Has primary imageLythrum salicaria.jpg +
    Has search namelythrum salicaria + and purple loosestrife +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameLythrum salicaria +
    Has water requirementsaquatic +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Lythrum salicaria +, Lythrum salicaria +, Lythrum salicaria +, Lythrum salicaria +, Lythrum salicaria +, Lythrum salicaria +, Lythrum salicaria +, Lythrum salicaria +, Lythrum salicaria +, Lythrum salicaria +, Lythrum salicaria +, Lythrum salicaria + and Lythrum salicaria +