Purple loosetrife

It's a Las Vegas type of plant--auspicious and showy on appearance with internal motives that are often seedy. A glitzy glamour spot in wetland habitats, the purple loosestrife expands its root systems across water logged soils, and shoots up "cities" of long spikes drenched in magenta flowers. Its wetland populations are like smears of gaudy lipstick kisses, shoving aside the more mundane cattail puffs.

The pesky loosetrife increases its tawdry group with energetic gusto each year, leaving behind its dried "skeletons" during the winter--scabby reminders of the upcoming summer onslaught. It's a constant battle here at the Winooski Valley Park District, one we struggle with every year. With remarkable flair and stamina, the loosestrife persists with audacious consistency.

 

Sightings
Riverwalk-Burlington
Delta Park-Colchester
Macrae Park-Colchester
Winooski Nature Trail-Winooski
Valley Ridge-South Burlington
Woodside Natural Area-Essex

Ethan Allen Homestead-Burlington

 
Control Techniques
Because of purple loosestrife's location in sensitive wetand habitats, the Park District doesn't use any herbicides to remove the plant. At the WVPD, we usually do a consistent basal cutting of the plant, and then dispose of the stems and flowers in black garbage bags. In order to keep habitat distubance to a minimum, one must be mindful of the impact they have on the removal site.