Re: loosestrife

On Mon, 17 Jul 2000 10:52:31 EDT ECPep@aol.com writes:
> Without quoting true reseach on the problem which I do not have 
> handy, it 
> would seem to me that those swampy areas with cattails and other 
> plants are 
> not the home of loosestrife in my area.

Purple loosestrife in New York must be weaker stuff -- or perhaps your
cattails are.  It might also be a matter of what kind of wetlands are in
each area.  Here in Michigan purple loosestrife has replaced cattails and
other native flora in areas of vernal ponds and streams.  It doesn't grow
in spots with 1/2 foot or more of permanent water but, then, neither do
cattails really.  Vernal ponds are in many ways more important to
wildfowl, amphibians, and a number of other creatures than permanent
bodies of water.  Unlike cattails and other natives, purple loosestrife
has no food value whatsoever for local animal life.  Vast stretches of
wetlands which used to harbor native plants are now 100% purple
loosestrife and that land is now totally useless to the wildfowl and
other animals.

While it's true that a few gardeners disavowing purple loosestrife in
their gardens won't save areas that are already inundated, it's also true
that it only takes one seed to get into one of the more fragile habitats
and destroy it forever.

Dean Sliger
Warren, Michigan, USA
Zone 6B

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