Winged loosestrife facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Winged loosestrife |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lythrum
|
| Species: |
alatum
|
Lythrum alatum, often called winged loosestrife, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the Lythraceae family. This plant naturally grows in wet areas across the central and eastern parts of the United States and in Ontario, Canada.
Contents
What Does Winged Loosestrife Look Like?
Winged loosestrife is a tall plant that grows straight up, reaching about one meter (or about 3 feet) in height. It has many branches. The lower parts of its stems are a bit woody. They are also square-shaped and have small "wings" along their edges.
Its leaves usually grow in pairs opposite each other on the stem. They don't have stalks and are wide and oblong, getting narrower towards the end. The edges of the leaves are smooth, without any teeth.
The flowers are very pretty, with a rose-pink color. They grow either alone or in pairs where the upper leaves meet the stem. Each flower has six petals that are about 5 millimeters long. These petals have a darker magenta line down the middle. Inside the flower, you'll find six stamens, which are the parts that hold pollen. They have pink stalks and purple tops. The plant also has a white stigma and a green style, which are parts involved in making seeds. After the flower blooms, it forms a long seed capsule filled with many tiny seeds.
Where Does Winged Loosestrife Grow?
This plant loves wet places! You can find winged loosestrife growing in damp meadows, marshy areas called fens, and along the edges of ponds and lakes. It also grows next to streams and sometimes even near railroad tracks.
Conservation Status
In some parts of the United States, winged loosestrife is quite rare. It is listed as an endangered species in Connecticut, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. This means there are very few of these plants left in the wild in those states, and they need protection. For a while, people thought it had completely disappeared from Vermont. However, in 2017, it was rediscovered in the town of Monkton, which was exciting news!
Is Winged Loosestrife a Problem Plant?
Sometimes, certain plants can grow too much and cause problems for other plants or the environment. These are called "noxious weeds." The group of plants that Lythrum alatum belongs to, the Lythrum genus, is considered a noxious weed in Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. This means that in these states, people try to control its spread because it can sometimes outcompete native plants.
Traditional Uses by Native Americans
The Cherokee people, a Native American tribe, have traditionally used a type of winged loosestrife (specifically Lythrum alatum var. lanceolatum). They would make a special tea, called an infusion, from the plant. This tea was used to help with kidney problems.
