Fringed Loosestrife

Fringed Loosestrife

Lysimachia ciliate

There are ten different plants in Indiana called Loosestrife, which encompass three genera and two families.  I haven't been able to find out what Loosestrife means or why people were calling all of these different plants Loosestrife.  It's a bit confusing when trying to id a plant and you find Loosestrife scattered about the pages.

This Loosestrife is a native perennial that blooms late in the summer in moister spots.  It's quite striking and the flowers last for a long time ... a very pleasant plant to come upon while batting away the mosquitoes and deer flies.

Notice that the flower petals are round, but have a tip at the end.



Note that the main stem is smooth, whereas the leaf stems are hairy ... thus "Fringed"