Lythrum salicaria is an introduced, hard, aggressive perennial that occurs predominately in wetland habitats. Originally from Europe, it was inadvertently introduced to the U.S. in the 1800's in ship ballast water and intentionally as a medicinal herb. It can now be found in 40 of the lower 48 states and Canada.
Wetlands are the most biologically diverse and productive components of our ecosystems in Maryland.
Productive wetlands are the backbone support for a healthy Chesapeake Bay. Hundreds of species of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, fish, and amphibians rely on healthy wetland habitat for their survival. Once this plant becomes established, it rapidly degrades wetland habitat by out-competing beneficial native vegetation. If left unchecked, purple loosestrife forms vast monotypic stands that will dominate an area and provide very little if any habitat for wildlife. An estimated 190,000 hectares of wetlands, marshes, pastures, and riparian meadows are affected in North America each year.