An easily recognised plant with pairs, sometimes whorls of simple leaves on a square stem topped with a spike of magenta/purple flowers. One feature of this genus is the crumpled appearance of the six petals. Despite the name it is unrelated to Yellow Loosestrife (Primrose family). It likes damp feet and these photos are from the ByBrook near SaltBox Farm.
Purple loosestrife is a lovely choice for an edge of pond plant, or a bog garden - both beautiful and great for wildlife. It supports more than 30 insect species and is a good way to attract elephant hawkmoths. Loosestrife weevils like to munch on it and are being considered as a possible natural way to control spread in America and NewZealand where, away from its natural habitat it has become invasive.
The name Lythrum is from the Greek luthron, meaning 'gore,' from the colour of flowers, or perhaps the dye which the flowers yield, whilst salicaria' means 'Willow-like plant”, from the leaves and where it grows. Local names, there are many, include red sally, grass-polly and long purples, as in Shakespeare’s moving description of Ophelia’s watery end.
“There with fantastic garlands did she come
Of crowflowers, nettles, daisies and long purples”
Loose-strife comes from the Greek name for the plant which in turn reflects its ancient reputation for having a calming effect if placed on the yoke of fretful oxen. John Gerard mentions the plant’s amazing animal ‘whispering’ properties in his ‘Historie of Plants’ …. A plausible explanation is its insect repelling effects.
The leaves have a high tannin content useful in tanning or to preserve wood or rope in water. Liquid from soaked leaves was used to heal skins sores, stop nose bleeds or as a gargle for quinsy. It was a common treatment for diarrhoea, and records show it being sold in Bolton Market Place during a cholera outbreak in 1868. Recent studies show the whole plant has antibiotic properties (as well as glucose lowering and anti-inflammatory effects), with particular efficacy against typhus. Many native plants are quietly disappearing - our loss 😢