![]() LeavesThe entire, sessile leaves are primarily opposite or in whorls of three without teeth. They may appear woody at base of large plants. StemStems are pubescent and distinctly four-sided. Established plants have 30 to 50 shoots that form wide-topped crowns and dominate the herbaceous canopy. Landscape Alternatives lists native horticultural substitutesĭescription HeightPurple loosestrife grows 3.0-10.0 feet (1-3 m) tall, with an average height of 5 feet (1.5 m). Apply 2,4-D to early growing plants to avoid killing desirable vegetation with use of Rodeo.May be confused with the following native and/or non-native species. Apply a labeled herbicide to larger infestations to reduce their size for mechanical treatment. Consult with your local pesticide dealer or extension agent for specific recommendations. This will reduce the amount of seed dispersal.Īlways read and follow label instructions when making any application. ![]() It is also recommended that all flowerheads are removed and bagged prior to herbicide application. Be extremely careful when applying Rodeo, it is a nonselective product that will kill all other vegetation that it comes in contact with. A wiper application can be used with a 33.3% solution of Rodeo, plus 5 to 10% surfactant, at the full-flower stage. For spot spraying use a 1.0 to 1.5% solution plus. Look for seedlings where adult plants have grown.įor Mature plants, the only labeled option is Rodeo at pre-flowering to post bloom stages. Herbicide Managementįor early season control of seedling and regrowth plants less than 1-2 feet tall, use aquatic-labeled 2,4-D is effective. Two other insects, a root weevil (Hylobiau transversovitatus) and seed weevil (Nanothyes spp.) are in early research stages. These beetles eat leaves, small stems, and flowers, and can completely defoliate loosestrife plants. Releases of at least 500 beetles per infested site are needed. Two species of beetles (Galerucella calmariensis and Galerucella pucilla) are showing some promise for biological control of loosestrife. Another mechanical method is to cut flower heads before they seed. ![]() Remove all stems and roots by putting them in bags to prevent them from sprouting new plants. More mature plants may require digging to be uprooted. Mechanical managementįor infestations of a few plants, purple loosestrife can be controlled, especially on sandy soils, by hand pulling or digging seedlings before they produce seed. One effective cultural technique is to eliminate loosestrife from ornamental plantings. This means that supplemental management methods are needed, in addition to cultural. However, purple loosestrife has the ability to continue to invade even heavily vegetated sites. Sites without vegetation should be reseeded to adaptable, competitive plants. Vegetation should not be over grazed in or near riparian areas. ![]() Since Purple Loosestrife invades wet habitats, cultural management techniques are difficult to use. ![]() Flowers are reddish-purple in color and have 5 to 7 petals. Leaves are opposite or whorled on stems, 2 to 5 inches long, tongue-shaped with pointed tips and attached directly to the stem (no petiole). Purple loosestrife produces multiple stems, 2 to 8 feet tall and 4-sided. Pieces of roots or stems also can produce new plants. One mature plant can produce up to 3 million seeds per year! Seeds survive in the soil for 5 to 20 years. This noxious weed spreads primarily by seeds carried in water, in fur of feather of animals, and from human activities. Infestations rapidly replace native vegetation, can impede water flow in canals and ditches, and have little wildlife habitat value. Purple loosestrife has escaped from ornamental plantings to aquatic sites such as riverbanks, ditches, shorelines, and wet meadows. This plant is considered a noxious weed and is included on the Colorado and the Adams County Noxious Weed Lists. It is a taprooted perennial short rhizomes also exist. Purple loosestrife is a native forb of Europe. Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) Identification ![]()
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