Lythrum salicaria
Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria, commonly known as purple loosestrife, is a striking perennial herb characterized by its vibrant spikes of magenta flowers. While prized for its ornamental beauty in wetlands, it is an aggressive invasive species. In traditional medicine, its astringent properties have been utilized to treat various digestive ailments.
- Scientific name: Lythrum salicaria
- Family: Lythraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales, it is specifically positioned in the family Lythraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identification is completed by its designation in the genus Lythrum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Lythraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Lythrum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Lythrum salicaria, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Poland, it is called krwawnica pospolita, while in Hebrew, it is referred to as שנית גדולה. It is known as дербенник иволгистный in Russian, salicaire commune in French, and răchitan in Romanian.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | Krwawnica pospolita | Wikidata |
| he | שנית גדולה | Wikidata |
| ru | дербенник иволистный | Wikidata |
| fr | Salicaire commune | Wikidata |
| ro | răchitan | Wikidata |
| ca | salicària | Wikidata |
| hu | réti füzény | Wikidata |
| fi | rantakukka | Wikidata |
| uk | плакун верболистий | Wikidata |
| et | harilik kukesaba | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Lythrum salicaria, exhibits a specific presence across several regions of Northern Europe. In the Scandinavian peninsula, it can be found growing within the borders of Norway and Finland. Its distribution also extends to the island of Great Britain. Furthermore, the species is documented to inhabit the landscapes of Ireland. Finally, its range includes the coastal and inland areas of Denmark.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Lythrum salicaria, commonly known as purple loosestrife, possesses distinct morphological features across its various structures. The stem is typically erect, square-shaped, and can grow quite tall, providing a sturdy support for the plant's dense growth. At the top of the plant, the flowering parts consist of numerous small, individual blossoms arranged in elongated, spike-like clusters. Each individual flower is characterized by its vibrant pink to purple petals, which attract various pollinators to the wetland habitat where the species thrives.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowering parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Lythrum salicaria has 45 reported phytochemicals identified across 54 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include rutin, gallic acid, orientin, polyphenols, quercetin.
- Total chemicals
- 45
- Scientific sources
- 54
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rutin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| orientin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vescalagin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,3',4'-tri-O-methylellagic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Lythrum salicaria has 5 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Antihyperglycemic, Styptic.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Astringent | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Styptic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Lythrum salicaria has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include dysentery, Helicobacter pylori, bleeding, blood glucose, diarrhea.
- Total uses
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| dysentery | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Helicobacter pylori | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bleeding | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood glucose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eczema | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal motility | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gums | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hemorrhages | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |