Lythrum

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Lythrum salicaria


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Lythraceae >

Lythrum >


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Lythrum is a genus commonly known as loosestrife. It is one of 32 genera of the family Lythraceae.


Read about Lythrum in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Lythrum (Greek, blood; possibly from the styptic properties of some species, or the color of the flowers). Lythraceae. Herbs or subshrubs, of which three are cultivated in hardy borders.

Branches 4-angled: lvs. opposite, or alternate, rarely whorled, linear-oblong or lanceolate, entire: fls. rosy purple or white, in the upper axils usually solitary, lower down more or less whorled; calyx-tube cylindrical, 8-12-ribbed; petals 4-6, obovate; stamens as many or twice as many: caps. 2-celled, with an indefinite number of seeds.—Koehne in his monograph of the Lythraceae recognizes 24 species, widely scattered.

Lythrums grow about 2 to 3 feet high in the wild, but improve markedly in cultivation, often attaining 4 to 5 feet and flowering freely. Some of them are called willow-herbs from their strong, erect habit and willow-like leaves. They are of easy culture in any moist soil, and are usually planted amid shrubbery, where they hold their own. They are denizens of low grounds, swamps and meadows, often growing in the water. They flower in summer and are propagated by division.


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