Scientific name- Lythrum salicaria

Purple loosestrife is a plant that is invading wetlands in North America. Think of your home and being pushed out of it. The wetlands are homes to many native species, and the purple loosestrife is pushing them out of that habitat.

Purple loosestrife invades areas that are home to native species like cattails. If the purple loosestrife takes over a wetland and reduces the number of cattails, then there wouldn’t be nests for small animals. There also wouldn’t be food for muskrats and beavers in the winter, and a muskrat or beaver can not eat purple loosestrife. As a result, the purple loosestrife has a strong effect on many native animals and plants in North America.

Purple loosestrife came to North America in the 1900’s from Asia and Europe. You can find purple loosestrife in moist areas like wetlands, lake shores, river banks, and even along ditches near roads in the US. One spot that you can’t and shouldn’t see purple loosestrife is in the state of Iowa. Purple loosestrife is prohibited in this state. In the state of Iowa, this plant is considered a harmful plant. If they find purple loosestrife in Iowa, they will remove it.

By hearing the name purple loosestrife, you can probably guess what the main color of this species is. Yes, the purple loosestrife has bright purple flower spikes at the top of the stem. When a purple loosestrife is grown up, it is usually at a height of 2 to 7 feet.

The two main types of beetles that scientists are using to kill the purple loosestrife, are the Gallerucella beetle and the Hylobius beetle. These beetles do not eat or harm other plants and animals. The beetles have been released in 27 states and all of Canada to kill purple loosestrife. The Gallerucella is a beetle that will eat the bud, leaf, and stem which will cause the plant not to have any more seeds. Without seeds, the purple loosestrife can not reproduce and will stop spreading. Scientists from three different states, including Michigan, say that the Gallerucella beetle has a huge impact on killing the purple loosestrife. The Hylobius beetle will eat the root tissue of the plant, causing it to die. Scientists are trying to reduce the number of purple loosestrife because it is invading many areas, killing native plants and the animals that rely on those plants for food and shelter.

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