purple loosestrife

noun

1. an Old World plant, Lythrum salicaria, of the loosestrife family, widely naturalized in North America, growing in wet places and having spikes of reddish-purple flowers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of purple loosestrife¹

First recorded in 1540–50

Example Sentences

But in both these passages the plant intended is the Lythrum salicaria, or Purple Loosestrife.

From Project Gutenberg

It will eat almost any sort of Galium; also willow herb (Epilobium), and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).

From Project Gutenberg

Purple loosestrife, Lythrum Salicaria, belongs to a different family, Lythraceae.

From Project Gutenberg