Purple Loosestrife

According to Ohio Department of Natural Resources, purple loosestrife is an erect perennial with opposite leaves and magenta-colored flowers. The thick
taproot supports thirty to fifty stems that grows from three to six feet. Leaves are lance-shaped and stalkless.

Small populations can be hand-pulled entirely and disposed, according to Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Systemic herbicides effectively control the population. Galerucella beetles eat only purple loosestrife and successfully control the population.

Extended flowering season means seeds spread for a longer time than most plants and can degrade wetlands due to overpopulation. Purple loosestrife is starting to encroach farmland according to Minnesota Sea Grant.

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