Lythrum portula
Lythrum virgatum
broad leaf loosestrife, European loosestrife, European water-purslane, spatula-leaf loosestrife, water purslane
European wand loosestrife
frequently creeping and rooting at nodes, procumbent, decumbent, or weakly erect, often branched near base.
erect, sparsely branched proximally, branched distally.
opposite;
sessile;
blade spatulate or oblong to broadly obovate or orbiculate, 5–15 × 3–8 mm, base narrowly attenuate.
opposite proximally, subopposite to alternate distally, well separated on stems, not densely crowded distally;
sessile;
blade lanceolate to narrowly linear, 30–120 × 10–20 mm, narrower distally, base usually attenuate (or rounded in possible hybrids with L. salicaria).
spikelike.
racemes at proximal nodes, spikelike distally with flowers in loose, ± whorled clusters.
opposite or alternate, along most of stem, sessile to subsessile, monostylous;
floral tube broadly campanulate, 1 × 1.5 mm;
epicalyx segments equal to or to 2 times longer than sepals;
sepals 1/3–1/2 floral tube length, apex dark red;
petals early caducous, 0 or 6, white to pink or rose, 1 × 0.7 mm;
nectary absent;
stamens 6.
alternate, or loosely clustered and ± whorled at distal nodes, sessile or subsessile, tristylous;
floral tube cylindrical, 4–6 × 2 mm, 3+ times longer than wide;
epicalyx segments awl-shaped, equal to or shorter than length of sepals;
petals rose purple, narrowly spatulate, 5–7 × 1.5–3 mm; nectariferous disc surrounding base of ovary;
stamens usually 12, of 2 lengths.
surpassing floral tube, indehiscent, splitting irregularly.
septicidal or septifragal.
ca. 10–25, subglobose.
75+, obovoid to fusiform.
= 10 (Europe).
= 30 (Slovakia).
Lythrum portula
Lythrum virgatum
Lythrum portula was long regarded as belonging to Peplis and is still accepted in that genus in some floras (D. A. Webb 1967). It is widespread in western Asia and Europe and has become established in the northwestern United States and adjacent Canada. It may be expected occasionally elsewhere in cool temperate regions in the flora area, as suggested by a 1999 introduction in Lake County, Ohio, presumably by seeds in soil accompanying plants purchased from a nursery on the West Coast. The Ohio population was recognized as non-native and destroyed (J. K. Bissell, pers. comm.).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Lythrum virgatum is distinguished from L. salicaria in its native Europe by glabrous stems, less robust habit, narrower, more widely spaced leaves with attenuate leaf bases, and less floriferous, more open inflorescences. The species are said to hybridize in their native ranges as well as in North America when they come into contact under cultivation. In the flora area, L. virgatum escapes from cultivation and is apparently naturalized to an unknown extent. The ability to produce fertile hybrids is a major concern because of the invasive nature of L. salicaria. For this reason, the sale of L. virgatum, like that of L. salicaria, is illegal in some states.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
- Local floras:
BC, 
CA, 
OR, 
WA - Local Web sites: CalFlora, CalPhotos,
Flora NW, 
PNW Herbaria 
WildflowerSearch
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USDA Plants Database- LBJ Wildflower Center
- SEINet
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- Encyclopedia of Life
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