Contains 3 accepted taxa overall.
Characteristics
Classification
Citation
LYTHRUM Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 446. 1753.
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TYPE: Lythrum salicaria Linnaeus Lectotypified by Britton & A. Brown, Ill. Fl. N. U.S., ed. 2. 2: 580. 1913.
Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Herbarium Specimens | Status | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lythrum lanceolatum | Southern Winged Loosestrife | |||
| Lythrum lineare | Narrowleaf Loosestrife, Wand Loosestrife | |||
| Lythrum salicaria |
Identification Key
1. Fertile above-ground stems 10–50 cm tall, flowering portion of the stem to 13 cm long; larger leaves 0.5–1.4 cm long, 1.2–5 times longer than wide; flowering Feb–Nov
2
1. Fertile above-ground stems 40–150 cm tall, flowering portion of the stem to 40 cm long; larger leaves 1.3–5 cm long, 3–19 times longer than wide; flowering May–Oct
3
2. Stem internodes usually, or at least some, conspicuously longer than the subtending leaves; leaves opposite, usually distinctly petiolate, the petiole 0.5–1 mm long, with a discernible gap between the stem and the base of the blade, larger leaves 0.7–1.4 cm long, 1.2–5 times longer than wide; floral tube narrowly obconic; flowering Feb–Jun
2. Stem internodes subequal to shorter than the subtending leaves; leaves opposite and sometimes alternate distally, sessile or the petiole to 0.2 mm long, the base of the blade adjacent to the stem, larger leaves 0.5–0.9 cm long, 1.8–2.7 times longer than wide; floral tube subcylindric; flowering Jul–Nov
3. Leaves opposite to subopposite, very rarely alternate, the larger ones 6.8–19 times longer than wide; petals white to faintly lilac, usually with a darker midrib; of brackish areas
3. Leaves opposite to subopposite proximally, often becoming alternate distally especially along the fertile portion of the stem, the larger ones 3–9 times longer than wide; petals commonly lilac, pink, to purple, sometimes white to faintly lilac, usually with a darker midrib; mainly of freshwater areas, rarely brackish
4
4. Branches mostly spreading to ascending; leaves narrowly lanceolate, lanceolate-ovate, lanceolate-elliptic, elliptic, to oblong, 3–5 times longer than wide, mostly spreading to ascending, floral tube narrowly obconic to subcylindric, 3–4.2 mm long; epicalyx segments and sepals subequal; petals 1.5–3 mm long, 0.5–1.5 mm wide
4. Branches mostly ascending to strict; leaves linear-lanceolate, narrowly lanceolate, lanceolate, narrowly elliptic, to elliptic, 3–9 times longer than wide, mostly ascending to strict; floral tube subcylindric, 5–6 mm long; epicalyx segments ca. 2 times length of sepals; petals 2–6.5 mm long, 1.5–3 mm wide
Genus Synonyms
| Synonym | Full Citation | Basionym | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| No synonyms found. | |||