The European settlers brought to North America determination, a desire for a better life and a whole bunch of purple loosestrife seeds. While we admire our ancestors for their tenacity and understand their desires, we are justified in wishing they had left the loosestrife in the homeland.
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is beautiful to look at but is deadly to riparian areas and waterways. Purple loosestrife is capable of producing over 2 million seeds per year that are easily transported through water bodies. Upon reaching land, the seeds germinate quickly and compete with the native plants. Once established, the purple loosestrife chokes out the native vegetation. Unlike native vegetation, purple loosestrifedoes not provide shelter and food for wildlife.
Purple loosestrife is a noxious weed in Alberta and Manitoba. Len Juras, weed control specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food says, "While the weed hasn't yet received that designation in Saskatchewan, it's important for landowners to watch for purple loosestrife around their water bodies." Lyle Saigeon, a biologist with Ducks Unlimited in Regina says, "Although the plant is in the Wascana area, the City of Regina is working to control it." He adds that a number of agencies are working to inform home owners of the nature of the plant and encourage them to rid their gardens of it. The cultivars sold by nurseries to gardeners are supposed to produce only sterile seed. However, there is some evidence that the cultivars can cross pollinate with the wild plants and produce viable seeds. Again, the City of Regina is doing its part by eliminating the plant from its flower beds.
Both Saigeon and Juras urge anyone who spots the plant near a water body to contact their nearest Rural Service Centre or Ducks Unlimited office. The plant is easily recognized by its long, pink flowers and tongue shaped leaves that are attached to a tall, erect, square stem. At this time, as there are no herbicides registered for purple loosestrife control, the most effective method of control is to pull the weed by hand.
An invasion of purple loosestrife does not have a direct impact on cultivated land. However, as members of the SSCA, we should all be aware of those plant species that inhibit the diversity of species in a given ecosystem. Purple loosestrife can ruin our wetlands. If you discover a plant that looks suspicious along your pasture's creek bed or in the coulee, report it as soon as possible. For more information on purple loosestrife, contact your local DU office.