Purple loosestrife
Purple loosestrife is a perennial, emergent aquatic plant (Thompson, et al. 1987; Malecki, 1991). As many as 30 -50 herbaceous, erect, annual stems rise to about 9 feet tall, from a persistent perennial tap root and spreading rootstock. Short, slender branches spread out to form a crown five feet wide on established plants (Thompson, et al. 1987). The somewhat squarish stems are four to six sided, with nodes evenly spaced. Stems submerged under water develop aerenchyma tissue characteristic of aquatic plants. The stalkless leaves can be opposite or decussate (opposite with alternating pairs at 90 degree angles) or sometimes in whorls of three, near the base. The upper leaves and floral bracts can be alternate (Mal, et al. 1992). The leaves are one ½ to four inches long, wider and rounded or heart-shaped at the base. Leaf shape varies from lanceolate to narrowly oblong, and is sometimes covered with fine hairs. The variability in pubescence and leaf shape is influenced by light levels - leaf area increases and fine hairs decrease with lower light levels.
Size: 3776px × 2520px
Location: Webster NY USA
Photo credit: © Peter Steiner / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: aquatic, attractive, emergent, flower, horizontal, invasive, loosestrife, perennial, plant, purple, rocks, rocky, showy, specie, spiked, stones, wetland, wild
