Please eliminate this plant from your garden as instructed here to protect our wetlands. The weed replaces all native vegetation, creating a dense purple landscape nearly devoid of wildlife. Although there are still parts of Western Canada unaffected by purple loosestrife, the problem is growing. Since it arrived from Europe over a century ago, the weed has infested wetlands across North America. It thrives and spreads rapidly because it has no natural enemies on the continent.
Purple loosestrife causes dramatic disruption to the ecological balance.
Recent studies prove that ornamental Lythrum cultivars, which were once thought to be sterile, can and do produce viable seed. When seed from domestic plants find its way into natural and agricultural areas, new strands of wild purple loosestrife sprout. In nearly all cases, it spreads via pollen and seed transfer without the gardener's knowledge. Wild and domestic varieties of purple loosestrife are on the Noxious Weed List in Alberta, Manitoba and numerous municipalities in Canada. Many concerned individuals and groups want to take immediate action to stop the spread of purple loosestrife.