Purple loosestrife
About This Species
Purple loosestrife is a pretty perennial plant that spreads rapidly by seed and root fragments. 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.
How to Identify
Purple loosestrife has a shrub-like appearance, stiff, four-sided stems ending in dense spikes of showy pinkish-purple flowers. It has narrow, stalkless leaves. Plants can grow up to 3 meters in height. Purple loosestrife is often confused with the native plant fireweed.
Report an Invasive Species
Use the app
Help us track and defeat invasive species.
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 municipality 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)
- Tall delphinium (Delphinium elatum)
- Bloody iris (Iris sanguinea)
- Hardhack (Spiraea douglasii)
- Spike speedwell (Veronica spicata)
