Purple loosestrife
About This Species
Purple loosestrife (Spike loosestrife, Purple lythrum) is a perennial plant that spreads rapidly by seed and root fragments. It was introduced from its native range of Europe and Asia. The tiny seeds are dispersed by wind, mud, moving water, wildlife and humans. A mature plant can produce up to 2.5 million seeds that can survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Purple loosestrife grows in wetlands and aquatic habitats, as well in wet pastures and roadside ditches and is quite easily recognized by its flowers. Purple loosestrife is designated as a Provincial Noxious Weed by the BC Weed Control Act, as well as a Management species by the BC Provincial Priority Invasive Species List.
How to Identify
Purple loosestrife has a shrub-like appearance, with stiff, four-sided stems. Plants can grow up to 3 m in height.
Flowers grow in in dense spikes and are showy and pinkish-purple.
It has narrow, stalkless leaves.
Purple loosestrife is often confused with the native plant fireweed.
REPORT TO PROTECT BC’S BIODIVERSITY
Use the app
Observe and report to protect BC’s biodiversity
Report through this website
Use our form to tell us what you’re seeing and where.
Take Action
Prevention is the best approach.
-
Purple loosestrife Factsheet -
If you need advice about invasive species on your property or you are concerned about reported invasives in your local area, contact your local government or regional invasive species organization.
Clean, Drain, Dry
Learn about best practices
The Clean Drain Dry program empowers you to help reduce the spread of invasive plants and organisms to BC waters by following the clean, drain, dry procedure on all watercraft and equipment.
PlayCleanGo
Learn about best practices
Plantwise
Learn about best practices
A few non-invasive alternatives to plant instead of Purple loosestrife include:
- Blazing star (Liatris spicata)
- False spirea (Astilbe x arendsii)
- Hardhack (Spiraea douglasii)
- Spike speedwell (Veronica spicata)
- Large-leaved lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus)
