Skaneateles Conservation Area/Invasive species/Lythrum salicaria

<< Prohibited invasive plants at the SCA

Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife)

Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a Eurasian wetland perennial, common in the shallow parts of the beaver ponds along Gully Road and elsewhere, including the backyard of the transfer station. As control measures, plants can and have been pulled, though some tend to be quite heavy, and it’s not clear whether all parts have been removed, which is required to prevent regrowth. Several species of beetles have been released in North America to control purple loosestrife. Anecdotally, local roadside populations seem less robust than a while back, but it’s not clear whether these biocontrols are responsible here.

Observations of Lythrum salicaria at the SCA

The following photographs and corresponding iNaturalist observations of Lythrum salicaria were made at or very near the Skaneateles Conservation Area. Click on images to enlarge and read details on Wikimedia Commons or on the "iNat obs" links to view the corresponding observations at iNaturalist.

• Lythrum salicaria in dry field behind transfer station hard-fill area, 19 Aug 2012. iNat Obs
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• Lythrum salicaria in wetland (dried-up beaver pond) on Gully Road, 31 Jul 2016. iNat Obs
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• Lythrum salicaria in wetland (dried-up beaver pond) on Gully Road, 7 Aug 2016. iNat Obs
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• Lythrum salicaria in rehydrated beaver pond on Gully Road, 31 Aug 2018. iNat Obs
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