Lysimachia

Plant Characteristics

Cultivation

Scientific Names

Lysimachia >

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Read about Lysimachia in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Lysimachia (probably after King Lysimachus). Primulaceae. Loosestrife. Erect or creeping leafy herbs grown in damp wild gardens and borders. Leaves opposite or whorled, entire, usually black punctate: fls. spicate, racemose or solitary, with a rotate or campanulate, 5-parted corolla with an equal number of slightly monadelphous stamens opposite the lobes: caps. 1-loculed, with many seeds on a central placenta. —Over 100 species found in temperate and subtropical regions of all parts of the world. Only a few in cult., and these all perennials. They differ from related genera in the absence of staminodia between the stamens, which are usually slightly united. Revision, Knuth in Das Pflanzenreich, hft. 22, p. 256 (1905). The loosestrifes are of easy culture, thriving best in moist situations. Propagation is by division in late autumn or early spring. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

? Lysimachia
Yellow pimpernel, Lysimachia nemorum
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ericales Family: Myrsinaceae Genus: Lysimachia L.
Species
include: Lysimachia nemorum (yellow pimpernel) Lysimachia nummularia (creeping Jenny) Lysimachia vulgaris (yellow loosestrife)

Lysimachia is a genus of flowering plants. It is traditionally classified in the family Primulaceae but should, according to molecular phylogenetic study, be placed to the family Myrsinaceae .

Characteristics

Lysimachia species often have yellow flowers, and grow vigorously. They tend to grow in damp conditions. Several species within Lysimachia are commonly called loosestrife, although this name is also used for plants within the genus Lythrum.

Lysimachia species are used as food plants by the larvae of some butterflies and moths, including the Dot Moth, Grey Pug, Lime-speck Pug, Small Angle Shades and V-pug.

Species

Species within the genus include:

• Lysimachia atropurpurea (purple gooseneck loosetrife)
• Lysimachia ciliatum (fringed loosestrife)
• Lysimachia clethroides (gooseneck loosestrife) — a hardy perennial resembling a tall Speedwell and growing up to 3 feet (1 metre). Flowers from July on to September. Grows best in deep, rich loam in a sheltered position.
• Lysimachia fraseri (Fraser's yellow loosestrife, endangered)
• Lysimachia nemorum (yellow pimpernel)
• Lysimachia nummularia (creeping Jenny or moneywort) — extremely hardy, and easy to cultivate; every piece of the creeping root will, if taken off, make a fresh plant.
• Lysimachia punctata (spotted loosestrife)
• Lysimachia quadrifolia (whorled loosestrife)
• Lysimachia terrestris (swamp candles)
• Lysimachia vulgaris (garden or yellow loosestrife)

External links

• Lysimachus' Dog & Nisaean Horses - Informative but non-scholarly essay on Lysimachia & Lysimachus (Annotated with Sources).

lysimachia punctata Spotted Loosestrife