Consider-the-Lilies Web Gallery
Lanceleaf Loosestrife
Sometimes in human society the negative reputation of one family member, perhaps inaccurately, is applied to others in the family.
This sometimes occurs in botanical families, too: This is just what has happened for this inoffensive, native member of the Lythrum family.
Similar in appearance and habitat requirements as its alien cousin, Purple Loosestrife (L. salicaria), this native plant is treated as a noxious weed by some, although it exhibits none of the former's undesirable traits.
Known by some as the "Purple Plague," the alien L. salicaria has proven itself an aggressive colonizer since its apparent inadvertent introduction in the nineteenth century. Since then it has taken over thousands of acres of North American wetlands and streams in at least nineteen states and three Canadian provinces.
The cousins do bear a family resemblance, although the introduced type is a much taller plant.
The blossoms are similar: the Purple variety is more floriferous, however, and is said to be quite beautiful in the large expanses that it typically forms.
The smaller and less plentiful, tiny pink blossoms of this native perennial variety (left) are a pretty sight, too—but, without creating other problems.
Unfortunately, so severe is the problem determined to be in some areas, some agriculture departments have made no distinction in their eradication programs between the "bad" import and the "good" native—many of the programs eliminate all plants, native and alien, in an area.
I am pleased to report, however, that this specimen, here holding its own in the rampant growth of a Shenandoah Valley wetland, is not at this time likely to suffer "collateral damage" during a Purple Plague eradication program in Virginia.
Fortunately, the introduced Loosestrife is thus far found only in seven Virginia counties; these areas are not inhabited by the native Lanceleaf Loosestrife.
The native wetland wildflower, which is relatively rare, finds its requisite ecology in three other counties in Virginia.
So, given the prevailing philosophy of eradication, may it always be so!
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