Lysimachia ciliata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ly-sih-MAK-ee-ah sil-ee-AY-tah
- Description
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Fringed Loosestrife is an herbaceous perennial wildflower in the Primulaceae (primrose) family. It is native to North America across southern Canada and much of the U.S., including Alaska and most of the lower 48 states. It inhabits wetlands, swamps, marshes, pond edges, moist deciduous woods, roadsides, stream banks, bogs, flood plains, and wet prairies. Fringed Loosestrife is one of the most commonly found Lysimachia species. In some areas, populations are declining due to loss of wetland habitat. This plant’s scientific name is derived from the hairs that grow along its petioles, distinguishing it from other Lysimachia species. It has an upright habit with little branching, and star-shaped yellow flowers that produce a floral oil, rather than pollen, which attracts pollinators.
Plant in full sun to light shade in wet to moist conditions, in a loamy soil high in organic matter. It is suitable as a bedding or border plant in wet sites or along streams and ponds. Flowers bloom in mid-summer to early fall with a few to many flowers open at one time. This plant reproduces through rhizomes and seed capsules.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems, but some destructive insects feed on certain parts of this Loosestrife (leafhoppers, sawfly, leaf miners and others).
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lysimachia
- Species:
- ciliata
- Family:
- Primulaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Medicinally this plant is largely astringent with some diaphoretic (promoting sweating and perspiration) and emetic (causing vomiting) properties. The live plant is said to repel gnats and flies. Some people will use a smudge fire of this plant as an effective repellant for flies during the summer.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Canada to U.S.A
- Distribution:
- Que. to B.C., s. to FL, TX & CO. USA: AK, AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY. Canada: AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts Melittid bees (Macropis steironematis) which only feed on Lysimachia species.
- Edibility:
- The cooked leaves of this plant are said to be edible.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The seed capsule is green and shiny and contains several seeds. Fruit displays from August to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Individual flowers, one-half to one inch, nodding downward, yellow blooms with 5 petals on 3 inch stems with short hairs. The center of the petals is often reddish. Flowers bloom from May to September.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves occur in pairs in opposite arrangement along the stem and are up to 6 inches long and 2.5 inches wide with fine hairs along the edge. This species has hairs along the petioles which is a distinguishing feature.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are erect, simple. Mostly unbranched but may have some.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil