EMILY de CAMP HERBARIUM

COMMON NAME: Purple Loosestrife
OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Loosestrife, Lythrum, Purple
Willow-herb, Long Purples, Milk Willow-herb, Rainbow Weed, Spiked Loosestrife
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lythrum salicaria
FAMILY: Lythraceae
COMMUNITY: Freshwater Wetland
STATUS: Naturalized from Europe
LIFESPAN: Perennial
HEIGHT: 1.5 to 5 feet
FLOWERTING TIME: June to September
FRUITING TIME:
DISTRIBUTION: Statewide in NJ; various species in wetlands
IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Purple flowers in axillary whorls and with a terminal spike ~ Leaves are simple lanceolate often opposite and sometimes formed in clasping whorls ~ Rhizomous

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Lythraceae), commonly called the Loosestrife family, consists of 26 genera and 580 species; found mainly in tropical regions. Some members of this family are used as dyes and Crepe Myrtle is an ornamental family member.

Loosestrife was named for Lysimachus, a general in the army of Alexander the Great. Lysimachus means loosestrife, from the Greek, lysis, loosing, and mache, strife. Lysimachus was credited with discovering the powers of the plant. It was his belief that if loosestrife were placed on the yoke “when the beasts of burden are quarrelsome, it checks their bad temper.” The smell of loosestrife was thought to keep snakes away, and that crushed loosestrife cured the sores caused by footwear.

According to the 1998 edition of the Physicians’ Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines, Purple Loosestrife has an anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antibiotic effect. Plant products used internally to treat diarrhea, and menstrual complaints; externally, in the treatment of varicose veins, bleeding gums, hemorrhoids, and eczema.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails. This information is presented for educational purposes.