Whorled loosestrife
Prepared by Jennifer L. D’Appollonio, Assistant Scientist, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. Updated February 2018.
Scientific name: Lysimachia quadrifolia L.
Common name(s): whorled loosestrife, whorled yellow loosestrife
Links: USDA PLANTS Profile, NPIN Profile, Go Botany
Images: (to see enlargements [PC]: click on image, then right click and choose “view image”)
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- in prune year field
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- early June
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- leaves whorled in 4s
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- note stem hairs
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- pre-flower
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- flowers in axils
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- in flower, early June
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- flower detail
Description:
– perennial
-Leaves are simple and whorled up the stem in groups of 4-5
- smoothed edged (entire) and elliptical shaped
-fruits from August to October
-spreads by rhizomes and seeds
-attracts pollinators
– may be confused with L. punctata; see left sidebar of Go Botany webpage
Habitat:
-variable
-prefers moist soils
-adapts to drier soils
-full to part sun
Sources:
North Carolina State Extension (2020). “Lysimachia Quadrifolia.” (Whorled Loosestrife) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lysimachia-quadrifolia/.