It was accidently brought in the soil ballast of ships from Europe and Asia. Purple Loosestrife has become established in a wide range of habitats including disturbed areas, river banks, lake and pond shores, irrigation ditches and roadsides. It was accidently brought in the soil ballast of ships from Europe and Asia. The reason why purple loosestrife is so invasive here is because it doesnt have its natural predators, like a beetle from Europe, says Jade Raizenne, conservation and program specialist with DUCs Native Plant Solutions (NPS). It was brought to North America in the early 1800s through a number of pathways including Canada and the United States are using specialized leaf eating beetles from Europe to control the plant. It is found in all Canadian provinces and all US states except Florida, and Hawaii. Since then, it has spread aggressively across the United States and Canada. Purple Loosestrife is an invasive plant. U.S. National Plant Germplasm System - Lythrum salicaria The Purple Loosestrife has been spreading rapidly across Canada, causing the government to have to act quickly. Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) 1 Introduction Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) is an invasive, emergent, perennial plant, native to Europe and Asia. How did the purple loosestrife get to Canada? It was introduced to North America in the early 1800s as an ornamental and medicinal plant; its now found in 47 states and most of Canada. Purple Loosestrife is distributed statewide and country wide, with the exception of six states. The plant was brought to the north-eastern United States in the 18th century by early settlers for their flower garden. The 1.5 m tall marsh plant quickly spread throughout North America, taking root in wetlands, lakefronts and damp ditches along roadways. Purple loosestrife is native to Great Britain, and it is found across central and southern Europe to central Russia, China, Japan, southeast Asia and northern India. In Manitoba, biological control has been used to help control the spread of purple loosestrife. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. Lythrum plants were brought to North Dakota for flower gardens because of their striking color, ease of growth, winter hardiness, and lack of insect or disease problems. Marshes, wet ditches, and streambanks. Purple Loosestrife is an invasive plant. Purple loosestrife is an invasive wetland perennial from Europe and Asia. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. Researchers determined it was safe to introduce the beetles to Canada Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria. Where did purple loosestrife come from? www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/ontweeds/purple_loosestrife.htm It is found in all Canadian provinces and all US states except Florida, and Hawaii. Purple loosestrife, a beautiful garden plant with an aggressive nature, was first introduced into North America in the early 1800s. The plant was sold in North Dakota by its genus name Lythrum for at least 50 years. The decision of how to control the issue has been causing a lot of struggle within politics. Marshes, wet ditches, and streambanks. Spread, impact, and control of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in North American wetlands. There are a couple methods to choose how to deal with the Purple Loosestrife, and Introduced in the early 1800s to North America via ship ballast, as a medicinal herb, and ornamental plant. These beetles are safer than using chemicals and only eat the purple loosestrife plants. How did purple loosestrife get to Canada? Purple Loosestrife, a wetland flowering plant native to Europe and parts of Asia, first arrived in Canada in the early 19th century as seeds in the soil ballast of ocean-going ships. Lythrum salicaria or Purple loosestrife is a tough perennial that is characterized by its spiky pink-purple flowers.