Lythrum salicaria - Purple Loosestrife - (Lythraceae)

This lovely wildflower is widespread throughout the UK and Ireland and in norther European countries, too, including Slovenia in Central Europe.

One of the most striking of marginal plants, Purple Loosestrife is usually considered a chalk stream flower, and certainly it thrives on chalky soil. It can, however, be found beside many lowland rivers in mildly acid areas. It also grows, with its roots in the water, around ponds and lakes.

Purple Loosestrife

The colour varies from white through pink to deep purple; the pale and dark varieties are generally the result of cultivation, while rosy-purple is the colour of the wildflower.

A closeup of Purple Loosestrife

This is a late summer flower and comes out from June onwards.

The plants on this page were photographed in West Wales in July.