Lythraceae: Loosestrife Family

Grass Poly / Hyssop Loosestrife – Lythrum hyssopifolia

Blooms:

Apr–Oct

Plant Height:

15–50 cm

Flower Size:

Small

Origin:

Europe

Invasive?

Yes – limited

Habitat:

Marshes, drying pond margins, disturbed ground

Notes:

A somewhat nondescript plant, easily overlooked but in fact invasive.  The leafy stems are decumbent to erect.  The lower leaves are oblong to elliptic, the upper are linear.  The small pale pink flowers are 5-petaled, appearing in two slightly different forms.  Sometimes the petals are a little broader, overlapping at their base.  At other times, the petals are narrower at the base and clearly separated.