Purple Loosestrife Lythrum Salicaria

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Purple loosestrife Other common names: Purple Lythrum, spiked USDA symbol: LYSA2 Lythrum salicaria loosestrife ODA rating: B Introduction: Eurasian in origin, purple loosestrife was introduced into the east coast of North America in the 1800s. It has become established in the U.S. and all Canadian border provinces. Loosestrife is a serious invader of wetlands, rendering them unsuitable for waterfowl and other birds. A successful biocontrol program has reduced loosestrife populations nationwide. Distribution in Oregon: Purple loosestrife occurs in most Oregon counties wherever suitable habitat occurs. Description: Purple loosestrife is a perennial aquatic invader growing up to seven feet tall supported by a large rhizomatous root mass. Growing as an upright bushy plant, it becomes adorned with spikes of purple flowers providing an abundance of nectar for honeybees. Flower color ranges from pink to purple, each flower possessing 5-6 petals and arrayed densely on a long spike. The seeds are tiny, dust-like, moved by water and birds. This former ornamental species can be found along wetlands, stream banks, and shorelines of shallow ponds. Impacts: Seeds escaping from ornamental plantings were transported into wetlands, lakes, and rivers. Once in aquatic systems, seed was rapidly dispersed by moving water and birds to additional areas. Decreased waterfowl and songbird production has been well documented in heavily infested marshes. Many rare and endangered wetland plant and animal populations had become at risk from purple loosestrife impenetrable stands though the biocontrol insects have reduced that risk significantly. Biological controls: Four biocontrol agents, two leaf beetles, a root weevil and a seed weevil, are well established in Oregon. Oregon Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Control Program Photos by Eric Coombs, ODA 635 Capitol Street NE Salem, OR 97301 503-986-4621 www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/Weeds/Pages/Default.aspx .

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Purple Loosestrife Lythrum Salicaria L
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F a C T S H E E T Purple Loosestrife
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Purple Loosestrife May Impede Boat Travel
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(Lythrum Salicaria) an Invasive Threat to Freshwater Wetlands? Conflicting Evidence from Several Ecological Metrics
WETLANDS, Vol. 21, No. 2, June 2001, pp. 199±209 q 2001, The Society of Wetland Scientists IS PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE (LYTHRUM SALICARIA) AN INVASIVE THREAT TO FRESHWATER WETLANDS? CONFLICTING EVIDENCE FROM SEVERAL ECOLOGICAL METRICS Elizabeth J. Farnsworth New England Wild Flower Society 180 Hemenway Road Framingham, Massachusetts, USA 01701 E-mail: [email protected] Donna R. Ellis Department of Plant Science, Unit 4163 University of Connecticut Storrs, Connecticut, USA 06269 E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: Con¯icting interpretations of the negative impacts of invasive species can result if inconsistent measures are used among studies or sites in de®ning the dominance of these species relative to the com- munities they invade. Such con¯icts surround the case of Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife), a widespread exotic wetland perennial. We describe here a 1999 study in which we quanti®ed stand characteristics of L. salicaria and associated vegetation in arrays of 30 1-m2 plots in each of ®ve wet meadows in Connecticut, USA. We explored linear and non-linear relationships of above-ground plant biomass, stem density, and indices of species richness, diversity, and composition to gradients of L. salicaria dominance, including stem density, percent cover, and biomass. Species richness, other diversity metrics, and stem density of other species were not signi®cantly correlated with the density or percent cover of L. salicaria stems. The relative importance values (number of quadrats in which they were found) of co-occurring species in low-density L. salicaria quadrats were signi®cantly correlated with their relative importance in high-density L. salicaria quadrats, indicating that only modest shifts in abundance occurred as L.
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Effects of Distance from Invasive Lythrum Salicaria On
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Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria L.) in a Southeastern Sedge Meadow John L
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee UWM Digital Commons Field Station Bulletins UWM Field Station Spring 1989 Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) in a southeastern sedge meadow John L. Larson University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.uwm.edu/fieldstation_bulletins Part of the Forest Biology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Larson, J.L. 1989. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) in a southeastern sedge meadow. Field Station Bulletin 22(1): 1-11 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by UWM Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Field Station Bulletins by an authorized administrator of UWM Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE (Lythrum salicaria L.) IN A SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN SEDGE MEDOW John L. Larson Department of Biological Sciences University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201 ABSTRACT Floristic and seed bank composition of a sedge meadow containing purple loosestrife was examined in 1987 and 1988. Eleocharis spp., Spiraea tomentosa. Triadenum vircrinicum, and Lycopus spp. were widespread while infrequent or absent in nearby sedge meadows without purple loosestrife, suggesting that these species have similar microsite requirements. Changes noted in some species over time probably resulted from changes in climatic and soil moisture conditions. The seed bank reflected the dominant herbaceous vegetation but lacked a few species having moderate frequencies in the established vegetation. Limited samples, unsuitable germination conditions in the greenhouse, autumn seed germination by some species and inability to survive prolonged inundation may explain the paucity of seed of some species that were frequent in the vegetation.
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Purple Loosestrife V. Look-Alikes
Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Background • Native to Europe and Asia • Initially introduced in the 1830s, on ballast of ships, also as a medicinal herb • Often a garden escapee • Nicknames include: “beautiful killer”, “marsh monster”, “spiked loosestrife“ Characteristics • 6-10’ tall, 5’ wide • Rigid 4-6 sided stems, grows in a clump of up to 30 stems • Leaves opposite or whorled, 2-6” long, simple, smooth edged, no petioles • Flowers magenta, 5-7 petals; clustered tightly in axils (1-2 flowers attach above each pair leaves) • Autumn leaves may turn red • Jul-Sept • Wet soil Harmfulness • Regulated class B noxious weed • Grows in lakes, wetlands, meadows marshes, • Can also be carried around by animals, on ponds, roadside ditches, anywhere that’s wet clothing or vehicles and in flowing water • Each plant eventually dispersing up to 2.5 -3 • Can also spread vegetatively by pieces of stems million seeds or roots • Small light and easily dispersed by wind • Becomes a monoculture, outcompetes natives, reduces biodiversity, clogs waterways, irrigation • Seeds have high viability, almost 100% canals germination rate and remain viable under soil or water for years Lookalikes 1 Douglas Spirea • 3-7’ spiraea douglasii • Shrub-like • Stems/branches: brown, not square • leaves alternate, simple, oblong, serrate or toothed above middle, 4-10 x 1-2.5cm, dark green top, whitish below • Flowers deep pink, crowded in panicle 5-30 cm long pyramidal to oblong, appear powdery from stamens; flowers turn brown after bloom • Jun–Aug Fireweed 2 Chamerion
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Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife Lythrum Salicaria by Two Chrysomelid Beetles Galerucella Pusilla and G. Calmariensis
An Abstract of the Thesis of Shon S. Schooler for the degree of Master of Science in Entomology presented on May 7th, 1998. Title: Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria By Two Chrysomelid Beetles Galerucella pusilla and G. calmariensis Redacted for Privacy Abstract approved: Peter B. McEv In the first part of this study we monitored the development of biological control of purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria over a six-year period at Morgan Lake in western Oregon. In 1992, two beetles, Galerucella pusilla and G. calmariensis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), were released to control the wetland weed at this test site. Our purpose was to estimate quantitative performance parameters that might be generally applied in monitoring biological weed control. Our six performance measures were: 1) biological control agent establishment, 2) the rate of increase of the agents, 3) the rate of spread of the agents, 4) the effect of the agents on individual target plants, 5) the effect of the agents on the population of the target plants, and 6) the indirect impact of the biological control agents on the local plant community. The beetles established viable populations that increased during the study with an intrinsic rate of increase (r), based on the growth rate in damage, estimated at 2.24/year. Within six years after introduction, the beetles spread to saturate the entire purple loosestrife habitat (4100 m2) around the lake. The rate of spread, estimated by calculating a diffusion coefficient (D), was 57.5 m2/year. Adult beetles made seasonal, exploratory movements up to 30 m away from the host plant stand into surrounding crop fields, which suggests a disturbance-free buffer should be established in the habitat surrounding the loosestrife stand.
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11 Purple Loosestrife
11 PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE B. Blossey Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York PEST STATUS OF WEED Purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria L., (Fig. 1) is a weed of natural areas and its spread across North America has degraded many prime wetlands result- ing in large, monotypic stands that lack native plant species (Thompson et al., 1987; Malecki et al., 1993). Established L. salicaria populations persist for de- cades, are difficult to control using conventional tech- niques (chemical, physical, and mechanical), and con- tinue to spread into adjacent areas (Thompson et al., 1987). Purple loosestrife has been declared a noxious weed in at least 19 states. Nature of Damage Economic damage. With the exception of reduced palatability of hay containing purple loosestrife and Figure 1. Purple loosestrife stand. reduction of water flow in irrigation systems in the (Photo by B. Blossey.) West, purple loosestrife does not cause direct eco- nomic losses. Indirect losses accrue due to reductions in waterfowl viewing and hunting opportunities. Ecological damage. The invasion of L. salicaria alters biogeochemical and hydrological processes in wetlands. Areas dominated by purple loosestrife (Fig. 2) show significantly lower porewater pools of phos- phate in the summer compared to areas dominated by Typha latifolia L. (Templer et al., 1998). Purple loosestrife leaves decompose quickly in the fall re- sulting in a nutrient flush, whereas leaves of native species decompose in the spring (Barlocher and Biddiscombe, 1996; Emery and
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Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria)
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) What is it? Purple loosestrife is a tall perennial herb which grows in both freshwater and brackish wetlands, along streams, and in ditches. It is a successful colonizer and can quickly spread to form large monotypic stands. FACT: A mature plant can produce almost 3 million seeds in a year. What does it look like? Purple loosestrife is a tall erect plant with a square woody stem which can grow from four to ten feet high, depending on conditions. Leaves are lance shaped, stalkless, and heart‐shaped or rounded at the base. They produce numerous spikes of purple flowers throughout most of the summer. Flowers have five to seven petals. FACT: As many as thirty short, slender branches may spread out to form a crown up to five feet wide on established plants. Where is it from & where is it now? Purple loosestrife is native to Europe and Asia. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the plant can be found in every state except Florida. FACT: It took less than 20 years for purple loosestrife to establish a monoculture in an estimated 35,000 acres of a 55,000 acre desert wetland in Grant County, Washington. How did it get here? In the 1800’s, purple loosestrife traveled to northeastern port cities in ship ballast. The first North American record of purple loosestrife was reported in 1814. The plant was also introduced intentionally for ornamental and medicinal purposes. Beekeepers prize the plant as a valuable source of nectar. FACT: Seeds are easily spread by water or in mud which has adhered to aquatic animals, livestock, people, and vehicles.
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Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria L.)
PNW0380 Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) Purple loosestrife (Lythrum the Cascades, in Idaho, Oregon, bloom (late June to early Sep- salicaria L.), sometimes known and Washington, it is less tember in most areas). At this as purple lythrum, is an emer- prevalent west of the Cascade time, people can recognize the gent aquatic plant of Eurasian Range. characteristic purple-magenta origin. An erect, herbaceous floral mass easily at 100 yards. perennial, it became estab- It may be confused with fire- lished in the estuaries of north- IDENTIFICATION weed (Epilobium angustifolium), eastern North America by the blue vervain (Verbena hastata), early 1800s. It has since spread The name loosestrife has been and spirea (Spiraea douglasii). across mid-latitude North associated with several mem- Upon closer examination, American wetlands. Several bers of the loosestrife family subtle differences in color and modes of colonization or (Lythraceae), also with the floral structure among these escape are probable, including genus Lysimachia in the prim- plants make positive field ships’ ballast, livestock bed- rose family (Primulaceae). identification easy. Differences ding and forage, wool, and Although L. salicaria has more in site preference also help to purposeful import as seeds than 10 common names in separate purple loosestrife or rootstocks for gardens and America and Great Britain, from superficially similar spe- herb beds. Purple loosestrife the most established name is cies. Usually loosestrife grows was first found in 1929 in the purple loosestrife. Purple loose- on moist or saturated soils. Puget Sound area of Washing- strife is identified most easily Also, it is the only purple- ton.
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