Re: [SG] Gooseneck Loosestrife
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Gooseneck Loosestrife
- From: R* D* <d*@INDIANA.EDU>
- Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 10:16:32 -0500
No, no, Bob, Gooseneck Loosestrife or Lysimachia clehtroides (which has
white flowers) is in a different genus than the Purple Loosestrife that is
taking over wetlands (its Latin name is Lythrum salicaria).
I just looked in my DICTIONARY OF PLANT NAMES and Purple Loosestrife
should really be given a different common name to prevent confusion. The
true loosestrifes are gooseneck and its cousins punctata, moneywort, etc.
The genus name is in honor of King Lysimachos of Greece (360-281 BC) who
reportedly used a piece of one of the true loosestrifes to pacify an
enraged bull. It would not have worked had he used Purple Loosestrife!
Bobbi Diehl
Bloomington, IN
zone 5/6
On Mon, 24 May 1999, bob wrote:
> Hi Bobbi
> I don't know if this is the same loosestrife or even if it is
> loosestrife but I think it is that is in the Mississippi around here but
> it is taking over hundreds if not thousands of acres. Beautiful plant
> but is choking everything.
