Photo courtesy of Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
| Scientific Name | Lythrum salicaria L. |
| Common Name | Purple Loosestrife |
| Family | Lythraceae (Loosestrife) |
| Class | Dicot |
| Description | Erect herbaceous perennial, overwinters by root crown, showy purple flowers, prolific seed production |
| US Distribution | Northern two-thirds of US and southern Canada |
| Worldwide Distribution | Temperate northern hemisphere and Australia; not a nuisance in Europe; native to Europe |
| Ecology | Moist soil to emergent shallow water areas, may even grow in moist upland areas |
| Economic Importance | Imported for honey production and as an ornamental |
| Ecological Importance | Major negative impact on wetlands in North America; reduces waterfowl food and nesting |
| Notes | Seedlings established best on moist soil or mudflats |