Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.

Purple loosestrife is an erect, emergent perennial herb. This non-native but

naturalized dicot has a square, woody stem and opposite or whorled leaves that are
lance-shaped, stalkless, and heart-shaped or rounded at the base. Depending on
conditions, Purple loosestrife grows from four to ten feet high.

It is very aggressive invader of many types of wetland, including freshwater wet

meadows, tidal and non-tidal marshes, river and stream banks, pond edges,
reservoir, and ditches. Purple loosestrife was introduced to the northeastern U.S. an
Canada in 1800’s for ornamental an medicinal uses.

Because Purple loosestrife is very aggressive emergent aquatic/wetland weed, once

it enters a wetland, it can completely dominate the ecosystem, eventually choking
out or suppressing the original habitat, and altering the structure and functions oh
the hydrology. This will occur in shallow aquatic systems and moist upland.

Chemical and mechanical methods provide short-to medium-term control of low to

medium density infestations of Purple loosestrife. At higher densities these methods
are expensive. Chemical an mechanical control must be used at least annually, and
are not highly successful.

At low to medium density, for isolated to medium acreage, herbicide control can be
effective when used in combination with mechanical an cultural control options. This
herbicide requires use of nonionic surfactant to ensure foliage penetration, since
uptake is through the leaves.

Mechanical control of Purple loosestrife is a short-term method used to control low-

to medium-density infestations. It is usually most effective when used in
combination with chemical an biological control, especially when medium to large
areas are infected. Cutting, hand pulling, harvesting, an rotovating are suggested
mechanical control options. Fire and flooding have been suggested as physical
control options but information on the efficacy of these methods is very limited.

Pulling by hand is easiest when plants are young (up to two years) or when growing
in sand, and should preferably be done before seed set. Older plants have larger
roots that can be eased out with a garden fork. This technique is most suited to
small infestation of young plants. Cutting flowering spikes on all ages of plants will
prevent seed from producing more plants in future years.

Biological suppressions may be the only effective lon-term control options for
extensive dense stands of Purple loosestrife. Basic and applied research being
conducted throughout North America on native an naturalized insect that actively
attack Purple loosestrife. These plant-eating insects include a root-mining weevil
(Hylobius transversovittatus Goeze), and two leaf-feeding beetles (Galerucella
calmariensis L. and Galerucella pusilla Duft), which are now establishes in North
America.

Hylobius transversovittatus is root-boring weevil. Adult weevil feed on foliage and

stem tissues. The larvae feed on root tissue for one to two years, depending on
environmental conditions. Galerucella calmariensis L. and Galerucella pusilla Duft
are leaf-eating beetles that seriously affect growth and seed productions by feeding
on the leaves and new shoot growth of Purple loosestrife.

Nanophyces marmoratus Goeze is a flower-eating beetle that severely reduces seed

production of purple loosestrife. A similar flower-eating beetle (nanophyces brevis)
also is being considered as a potential biological control agent for purple loosestrife,
but has not been released. N. marmoratus is widespread Eurasia, and tolerates a
wide range of environmental conditions. The species has been introduced into
seven states.

Because purple loosestrife is extremely difficult to control once it has become

established, early detection and prevention of infestation of this very aggressive
wetland weed is essential in stopping the plant from becoming a widespread
problem.

Purple loosestrife is still available in some states as a garden plant. Education

programs should inform the public of danger of this plant, since contamination of
wetland from home gardens does happen. Be sure that citizens know to check the
label of all wildflower seed mixes for the absence of purple loosestrife. Wildflower
mixes containing purple loosestrife should be avoided.

Once purple loosestrife has been introduced into a wetland or shallow lake, there is
currently no combination of control practices that will completely eradicate it.
Therefore, cultural prevention approaches remain the best way to avoid water
purple loosestrife infestations (see table 7). Prevention programs include:

• Citizen lake watch programs

• Volunteer compliance programs including boat cleaning and quarantines
• Professional survey programs
• Boat launch surveillance
• Assessment and monitoring programs
• Education and media approaches, including
1. Published websites
2. Workshops and lectures
3. Development of full-fledged public outreach program via university
extension service or Sea Grant programs.