Pronounced (approximate): ly-sih-MAK-ee-uh vul-GAIR-is
An upright yellow-flowered perennial that spreads by rhizomes.
Garden Loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris): field photograph. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Primulaceae
Life cycle Perennial
Blooms Summer
Height 3 to 6 feet
Habitat Moist meadows, wetland margins, shores and garden escapes
Common names: Garden Loosestrife · Garden Yellow-loosestrife
Bloom timing varies with latitude, weather and local conditions.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Moist meadows, wetland margins, shores and garden escapes. Flowering season: Summer.
Spotted Loosestrife (Lysimachia punctata) carries flowers more extensively along leafy stems. Garden Loosestrife concentrates its flowers toward the top.
Yellow five-lobed flowers cluster at stem tips and upper leaf axils.
Lance-shaped leaves occur opposite each other or in whorls.
Stems are hairy; sepals commonly have reddish-brown edges. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
10 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Native to Europe and Asia; introduced in North America, where it can spread aggressively in wetlands.
Reported U.S. distribution
CO, CT, IL, IN, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WA, WV, WI
Includes native and introduced state records where listed; a state record does not imply occurrence in every county.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Garden Loosestrife in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.