The definition of a weed is a plant out of place. To some, perennials like globe thistle and goldenrod are desirable garden plants. Others object to these plants and consider them weeds. There are no right or wrong answers when dealing with such plants and the decision to cultivate or eradicate is simply a matter of personal preference. However, when a cultivated plant escapes its garden setting and threatens to disrupt a fragile ecosystem, certain precautions must be taken.
Purple loosestrife is a tall, bushy, long-lived perennial.
Plants produce erect stems which become covered with pink, magenta, reddish purple, or deep purple flowers in June and July. Because of these beautiful flowers, the ease with which the plant is grown, and lack of serious pests, purple loosestrife has gained widespread popularity. However, the species may freely reseed in wet areas, choking out large areas of native vegetation in marshland areas or around lakes and streams, thus ruining habitat for waterfowl. No person shall sell, offer for sale, or distribute purple loosestrife in this state. These varieties are considered sterile or nonaggressive.