Winged Loosestrife (Lythrum alatum)
Winged Loosestrife attracts many different native bees, butterflies, and skippers (illinoiswildflower.info). Little other information is available about its floral/fauna associations. This native plant should not be confused with Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). The latter is an aggressive Eurasian plant that invades wetlands and forms dense stands that exclude other species. As compared to the native plant Winged Loosestrife, Purple Loosestrife has wingless stems, a larger size, and slender willow-like leaves that often have hairs (illinoiswildflower.info).
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer
Winged Loosestrife attracts many different native bees, butterflies, and skippers (illinoiswildflower.info). Little other information is available about its floral/fauna associations. This native plant should not be confused with Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). The latter is an aggressive Eurasian plant that invades wetlands and forms dense stands that exclude other species. As compared to the native plant Winged Loosestrife, Purple Loosestrife has wingless stems, a larger size, and slender willow-like leaves that often have hairs (illinoiswildflower.info).
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer
Winged Loosestrife attracts many different native bees, butterflies, and skippers (illinoiswildflower.info). Little other information is available about its floral/fauna associations. This native plant should not be confused with Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). The latter is an aggressive Eurasian plant that invades wetlands and forms dense stands that exclude other species. As compared to the native plant Winged Loosestrife, Purple Loosestrife has wingless stems, a larger size, and slender willow-like leaves that often have hairs (illinoiswildflower.info).
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Moisture: Wet, Medium-wet
Height: 3 feet
Plant Spacing: 2-3 feet
Bloom Time: June-Sept
Bloom Color: Purple
Advantages: Pollinator Favorite, Great Landscaping Plant
Host Plant: Pearly Wood Nymph (Eudryas unio), reportedly feeds on these plants (illinoiswildflower.info)
