Purple Loostrife (Discovered in Gull Chain many years ago)
(Lythrum salicaria)
From the Minnesota DNR website:
Purple Loosestrife is a wetland plant from Europe and Asia. It was introduced into the east coast of North America in the 1800s. First spreading along roads, canals, and drainage ditches, then later distributed as an ornamental, this exotic plant is in 40 states and all Canadian border provinces.
Purple Loosestrife invades marshes and lake shores, replacing cattails and other wetland plants. The plant can form dense, impenetrable stands which are unsuitable as cover, food, or nesting sites for a wide range of native wetland animals including ducks, geese, rails, bitterns, muskrats, frogs, toads, and turtles. Many rare and endangered wetland plants and animals are also at risk.
Currently there are about 2,000 purple Loosestrife infestations recorded in 77 of Minnesota's 87 counties. Of those sites, the majority (70%) are lakes, rivers, or wetlands. Inventory totals indicate that Minnesota presently has over 58,000 acres infested with Purple Loosestrife. Purple Loosestrife can range from 2 to 7 feet high.
Purple Loosestrife infestation in Minnesota.
More about Purple Loosestrife
Identifying Purple Loosestrife
Is Purple Loosestrife in your garden?
Biological control of Purple Loosestrife
Controlling Purple Loosestrife with herbicides
Purple Loosestrife Management Program
Purple Loosestrife fact sheet (MDA)
Minnesota Noxious Weeds (MN DOT)
