Quercus

Purple Loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria

Not native to Kentucky

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Kentucky.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

13CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including KY

Genus host records with ranges including KY · Lythrum

  • Acronicta insularisHenry's Marsh Moth, Cattail Caterpillar
  • Actias lunaLuna Moth
  • Antheraea polyphemusPolyphemus Moth
  • Aterpia approximanaSparkling Aterpia
  • Automeris ioIo Moth
  • Callosamia anguliferaTulip-Tree Silkmoth
  • Callosamia prometheaPromethea Silkmoth, Promethea Moth
  • Citheronia regalisRoyal Walnut Moth, Hickory Horned Devil
  • Eacles imperialisImperial Moth, Imperial Spiny Caterpillar
  • Eudryas unioPearly Wood-Nymph
Show all 13
  • Hyalophora cecropiaCecropia Silkmoth, Cecropia Moth
  • Melanchra assimilisBlack Arches
  • Morrisonia confusaConfused Woodgrain
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
1BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Lythrum

  • Coturnicops noveboracensisYellow Rail
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Lythraceae
Hardiness
Zones 3a–9b
Flower color
Pink or purple

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Purple Loosestrife

Conservation status

Kentucky rankSNA
Global rankG5
KY statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources