Purple Loosestrife

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from traditional
parasites, predators and competitors, purple loosestrife thrived in the
environmental conditions and by 1880 was rapidly spreading north and west
through the canal and marine routes. Purple loosestrife stands also increased
due to the importation of seeds and root stalks by horticulturists. It was
introduced to many communities as an herb, an ornamental garden flower and as a
desirable honey plant.

One of the earliest reported studies of purple loosestrife being a problem in
Canada was documented by Mr. Louis - Marie, in 1944. He stated that purple
loosestrife was invading the St. Lawrence flood plain pastures between Montreal
and Quebec. At that time Louis - Marie conducted a study to find suitable
control methods for purple loosestrife. His results indicated that repeated
mowing, continuous grazing, deep discing and harrowing were effective in keeping
the spread of purple loosestrife controlled on agriculture land. Since the
1940's purple loosestrife ...

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September (Figure 1). One purple
loosestrife plant alone is solid and hardy but when this plant invades an area
it creates a "dense, impermeable stands which

Figure 2 - Purple loosestrife growing in a typical habitat.
(Parker 1993)

are unsuitable as cover, food or resting sites for a wide range of native
wetland animals..." (Michigan Department of Natural Resources 1994). Due to the
lack of predators which feed upon purple loosestrife, this dominant plant has an
advantage when competing against most other native wetland species for food
sunlight and space. These advantages allow purple loosestrife to create dense,
monotypic stands which reduce the size and diversity of native plant ...

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