Stem

Up to 6 ft. tall, 4-5 sided, covered with short hairs and often branched; multiple stems arise from root crown

Leaves

Mostly opposite or whorled, narrow to lance-shaped, 2-6 in. long, smooth edges (margins), lack hair (glabrous) to hairy; NO leaf stems (petioles)

Flower

Showy; clustered on stalks at the tips of branches; 5-7 pink to purple petals surrounding a yellow center; petals are less than 0.5 in. long, each have a dark midvein and appear wrinkled or crushed

Root

Taproot with some spreading roots; can associate with nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Other

Grows best in wet areas; often found in marshes and along the edges of pond and waterways; known to occur in Storey and Washoe counties
Perennial; reproduces by seed and stem fragments
Historically used as an ornamental plant but has escaped cultivation

Control

Repeated hand-removal of individual plants including roots can be effective; DO NOT mow
Several biological control agents are available
Apply metsulfuron to actively growing plants; glyphosate or triclopyr at bloom; imazapyr from bloom until killing frost

Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Purple loosestrife, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:


Needs Assessment for Noxious Weeds in Churchill County: Part 4 of 5 - Criteria for Herbicide Use and Selection This fact sheet is the fourth in a series of five that reports the results of a needs assessment survey completed by faculty in University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE). The survey attempted to identify the major issues related to the management and control of weeds in N... Davison, J., Powell, P., Schultz, B., and Singletary, L. 2012, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Nevada’s Priority Agricultural Weeds: Hoary Cress Plants commonly referred to as hoary cress (Cardaria sp.), or short whitetop, are one of three different but closely related perennial forbs. The Cardaria species are widespread across all eleven Western states, including every county in Nevada. B. Schultz, S. Foster 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-21-03
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – African mustard African mustard is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., H. Kratsch, Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Common crupina Common crupina is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Common St. Johnswort Common St. Johnswort is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

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Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Purple loosestrife