NH Wildflower Series 2: Purple Loosestrife Traditional Cache

Unfortunately, this non-native species is more and more common as it takes over many wetland areas. It arrived in the U.S. in the early 1800’s. Plants were brought to North America by settlers for their flower gardens.

Purple loosestrife is a very hardy perennial which can rapidly degrade wetlands. An estimated 190,000 hectares of wetlands, marshes, pastures and riparian meadows are affected in North America each year.

Many organizations throughout North America have taken action to control the spread of purple loosestrife. Their response has been characterized by unparallelled cooperation. National wildlife services, state/provincial natural resource and environment agencies, universities, nursery trades associations, and conservation and community organizations have responded to the purple loosestrife invasion by raising awareness of the threat posed by this invasive plant, and how to prevent its spread.