nearly 100% shoot reduction.

In the
following growing season, it was found that
the timing of application also affected the
establishment of purple loosestrife
seedlings. Plants sprayed in the vegetative
stage were able to reinfest with seedlings,
whereas the plots sprayed in early and late
flowering stages were free of purple
loosestrife seedlings.
Biological control has shown promising
results as well. In 1997, Utah State
University Extension and Animal & Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
introduced Galerucella pusilla, a small
weevil, at Pelican Pond in Cache County,
Utah. By 2000, purple loosestrife was
significantly reduced. Biological controls
are not intended to eradicate purple
loosestrife, but rather reduce it to an
acceptable and sustained threshold. Bio-
control insects remain and work
continuously and are able to move to new
and/or inaccessible areas. However,
insects are subject to population variations
and mortality from flooding.
For updated information on chemical
or biological control of purple loosestrife
contact your local Extension agent, county
weed control supervisor, or search on the
Purple
Internet, key word purple loosestrife.
Loosestrife
References cited:
http://infoweb.magi.com/~ehaber/factpurp.html
A Wetland Invasion
www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/1999/loosstrf/loosstrf.htm

Designed by Nathan Belliston

Produced by
07/04
Utah-Idaho CWMA
in cooperation with
Utah State University Cooperative Extension
 The Invasion Impacts
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria World wide In certain habitats,
L.), sometimes referred to as purple distribution of purple purple loosestrife may
Lythrum, is a native plant of Europe. loosestrife identifies become so thick so as to
Sometime in the early 1800’s Purple it as a plant of impede water flow. The
loosestrife was introduced into North temperate climates proliferation of purple
America along the eastern coast of the with a strong affinity loosestrife in wetlands
United States. There are several likely for moist or saturated also adversely alters
sources of seed invasion. It may have been soils of marshy native plant communities
introduced for use as a healing herb, for wetlands. Natural that may serve as vital
ornamental purposes, on ship ballasts, or spread of purple habitat for waterfowl,
in livestock feed and bedding. Since its loosestrife is furbearers and other
introduction, it has spread to many primarily by seed. The continuity and aquatic wildlife.
wetland areas in the northern half of the configuration of a watershed strongly The spread of purple loosestrife also
U.S. and southern Canada from the east influence the rate and ease of expansion of has a direct economic impact when plants
to the west coast. a local infestation. Streams with steep clog irrigation or drainage ditches on
gradients and narrow canyons are frequently farmlands or cause degradation and loss
scoured and have fewer eddies or slack- of forage value of lowland pastures.
The Weed
Weed water areas where purple loosestrife can
Purple loosestrife is a take hold. In contrast,
semi-aquatic bushy low-gradient
Contr ol
Control
perennial reproducing by streams with broad Controlling purple loosestrife can be
seed and creeping alluvial deposits done in many ways with varying levels of
rootstock. It has been offer many sites for success including: hand pulling, cutting,
estimated that a large purple loosestrife mowing, cultivation, inundation, fire,
healthy plant could infestation. Streams chemical, and biological control. Chemical
produce up to 2.7 million with a heavy canopy and biological control seem to be the most
seeds. Lance shaped of trees also reduce feasible forms of control.
leaves may be from one to purple loosestrife’s Tests done in New York used three
five inches long. Rose- ability to establish rates of glyphosate (Roundup) against
purple flowers grow in Environmental three stages of growth (vegetative, early
columns along the upper disturbances also flowering, late flowering). There were no
end of stems. Bloom aid in loosestrife significant differences observed in control
occurs from mid to late invasion. between application rates but a highly
summer. significant difference of control in the
timing of applications. The late flowering
application was the most effective with