One loosestrife plant can produce millions of seeds annually. Seeds are long-lived and easily dispersed. Also, purple loosestrife plants are capable of resprouting from broken stems or roots. The plants have strong root stocks that serve as storage for spring regrowth and regenerations following natural or human disturbance. Finally, the commercial sale of purple loosestrife increased the spread of the plant by introducing it to various watersheds.
Purple loosestrife is a problem because it negatively affects wildlife and agriculture.
Purple loosestrife displaces and replaces native flora and fauna, eliminating food and shelter for wildlife. By reducing habitat size, purple loosestrife has a negative impact on fish spawning and waterfowl habitats. The plant also diminishes wetland recreational capability. Purple loosestrife affects agriculture by blocking flow in drainage and irrigation ditches and decreasing crop yield and quality. Purple loosestrife is a problem throughout North America.