Lythrum alatum var. lanceolatum

loosestrife

Lythraceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

2-3 ft tall.

Life Span:

long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

lavender

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

Winter dormant. Blooms in summer.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Moist/wet wildflower garden.

Considerations:

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Stays wet ---- to ---- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies

This plant is an insect magnet!







  • It attracts insects including long-tongued bees, green metallic bees, bee flies, butterflies, and skippers.


  • Among the long-tongued bees, are such visitors as honeybees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees ( Epeolus spp.,  Triepeolus spp.,  Coelioxys spp.), long-horned bees ( Melissodes spp.,  Svastra spp.), and leaf-cutting bees ( Megachile spp.). 


  • Syrphid flies feed on the pollen, but they are non-pollinating. (I llinois Wildflowers ).


Native Habitats:

Moist-wet sites. Wet flatwoods, roadside ditches in former flatwoods.