Purple Loosestrife (Nonnative, Invasive) (Lythrum salicaria)

Species Spotlight

Monarch Butterfly: Nectaring at invasive Purple Loosestrife

Invasive Plant

Invasive Purple Loosestrife

Purple Loosestrife is an invasive plant that is threatening the Illinois wetlands. It is frequently found in wet habitats, and unfortunately is found at the Ruth Macintyre Conservation Area that I visit frequently. According to the Illinois Natural History Survey, a single stalk can produce 300,000 seeds. Purple Loosestrife crowds out native vegetation but itself provides little in the way of food or shelter for native wildlife such as waterfowl.