| + | Lythrum salicaria, Linn. (L.anceps, Hort). Spiked or Purple Loosestrife. Black Blood. Fig. 2240. Height 2-3 ft.: lvs. opposite or sometimes in whorls of 3, lanceolate, 2-3 in. long: fls. purple; stamens barely if at all exserted. North temperate regions. Austral. B.B.2:473. G.3:622.— Best of the genus. Koehne has made 29 botanical varieties and subvarieties of this one species. Var. superbum and var roseum, Hort., have rose-colored fls. Var. roseum superbum, Hort., may be the same as the preceding varieties. It is large-fld., rose- colored, more robust (4-6 ft.); somewhat later in blooming. July-Sept.; a clearer, finer colored form than the species. It is generally sold as L. roseum superbum (not as a variety of L. Salicaria). G. 29:167. Var. atropurpureum, Hort., is a fine variety producing large spikes of very dark rose-purple fls. Var. tomentosum, DC. Lvs. tomentose. Var. roseum, Perry's Variety, has cherry-red fls., larger and upon longer spikes. Excellent for the bog-garden. |