loosestrife, Purple, Lythrum salicaria
Weed Control Options 
Life Cycle
Reproducing only by seed.Stems
Stems tall, erect, 60-120cm high, somewhat branched, usually finely hairy, more or less square in cross-section, especially where the leaves are opposite.Leaves
Leaves opposite (2 per node) or sometimes whorled (3 or more per node), stalkless, broad near the base and tapering towards the tip, 3-10cm long, finely hairy; upper leaves and those in the inflorescence usually alternate (1 per node) and smaller than the lower ones.Flowers and Fruit
Flowers in dense terminal spikes; sepals united into a column with 8 to 10 or 12 prominent green veins and ending in several, long, thin, pointed lobes; petals 5 to 7, red-purple, 7-10mm long, very showy; stamens several and 1 pistil; seedpod small, containing many tiny seeds. Flowers from June to autumn.Habitat
Purple loosestrife was introduced from Europe but is now widely naturalized in wet meadows, river flood-plains, and damp roadsides throughout most of Ontario.Distinguishing Features
Its opposite leaves and square stems resemble plants of the Mint Family but it is distinguished by having separate petals, a seedpod with many fine seeds, and it lacks the minty odour.Media Items
Figure 1: Top
Figure 2: Purple loosestrife on roadside growing in Central Ontario, August. Top
Figure 3: Dense terminal spikes Top
Figure 4: Flowers of purple loosetrife Top
Figure 5: Opposite leaf arrangement. Top
Figure 6: Leaf of purple loosestrife Top