I'm worried that this might be PURPLE LOOSETRIFE -- confirm?

[applestar]

I have this pretty plant that volunteered in my semi shade moist clay wildflower garden.
It is perennial and comes back each year in a single clump but so far has not spread.

But I became concerned that it could be Purple Loosetrife -- an invasive non-native species. The flower spike seems more sparse than what I think of as Purple Loosetrife but it seems to have similar characteristics....

Can anyone confirm yeah or nay?

[rainbowgardener]

not sure I can be much help. I see what you mean. It looks a lot like purple loosestrife, but with a lot more stem space between the flowers than I am used to. But I did find a picture that looked a bit similar:


https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Invasives/fact/ ... trifeB.jpg

[applestar]

I'm kind of hoping it's fireweed which is at least N. American native even if, I think, not NJ local.
I took a close up of the flowers this morning. Maybe this will help.

Here' s a reference with a good picture of fireweed blossoms:
https://www.motherearthliving.com/wiser- ... z35SB47On8

[JosephsGarden]

Nothing to worry about either way... Purple loosestrife has become a native species, and no amount of poison or weeding will ever eradicate it. So might as well enjoy the flower whatever species it happens to be.

[applestar]

Eeeehhhh.... Not sure about that Joseph. There is a field about 20 minutes drive away that is absolutely covered with the stuff.

There are close ups of three different flower forms on this page: https://ohioplants.org/invasives/
I'm thinking mine looks like the "short styled form" with dark colored anthers. That was what was throwing me off because most other sites don't show these different flower forms and I was generally seeing light colored anthers and protruding styles/stigma.

[JosephsGarden]

Purple loosestrife has twice as many anthers as petals. Half of the anthers long and half short. It typically has 6 petals (but could be 5 or 7). It looks like from the photo that your mystery flower has 5 petals. I can't see the anthers clearly.

Similar species that may be mistaken for purple loosestrife include fireweed (Epilobium agustifolium), blue vervain (Verbena hastata), blazing stars (Liatris spp.), native winged loosestrife (Lythrum alatum) and native swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus).

https://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders ... osestrife/

[applestar]

Ooh! Thanks! Those are good clues.
It's dark here now -- or I would be rushing out there -- but I'll take a look in the morning