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Native alternative(s) for Lysimachia quadrifolia:
Lysimachia ciliata Lysimachia ciliata
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Aesculus flava Tree in full bloom
Monarda didyma Flowers
Penstemon australis Form

Prairie Loosestrife Lysimachia quadrifolia

Phonetic Spelling
lis-ih-MAK-ee-ah kwad-ree-FOH-lee-uh
Description

Whorled Loosestrife is an herbaceous perennial in the Primulaceae (primrose) family native to eastern North America.  It grows in moist fields, clearings, hardwood forests, roadsides, rocky slopes, and seashores at elevations up to 1000 meters. In North Carolina it is found in a wide variety of forests and open areas, including pine savannas of the outer Coastal Plain, ranging from moist to very dry. It is common in North Carolina’s Mountains and Piedmont but uncommon in the Coastal Plain.  It is a tall, rhizomatous plant reaching 3 feet in height with attractive whorled leaves around an upright stem. Yellow flowers with a red center form on stalks at the leaf axis. Flowers may have red margins with maroon or black streaked resin canals.

It prefers sunny, moist soils but adapts to drier sites and a wide range of soil types. It spreads by rhizomes and seed but not too vigorously.  Seeds must be sown on top of soil as they require light to germinate.

 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#yellow flowers#nectar plant#specialized bees#NC native#adaptable#pollinator plant#native wildflower#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FACU#Coastal FACU#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#yellow flowers#nectar plant#specialized bees#NC native#adaptable#pollinator plant#native wildflower#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FACU#Coastal FACU#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lysimachia
    Species:
    quadrifolia
    Family:
    Primulaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The Cherokee used this plant to treat kidney and urinary conditions.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Canada to North Central & Eastern U.S.A
    Distribution:
    USA: AL, CT, D.C., DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV Canada: NB, Ont, Que.
    Wildlife Value:
    Members of the genus Lysimachia support the following specialized bees: Macropis (Macropis) ciliata, Macropis (Macropis) patellata, and Macropis (Macropis) steironematis.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Dry seed capsule opens to drop seeds. Fruit displays from August to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1/2 inch wide flowers have long stalks and arise from the leaf axils with 1 flower per axil. Flowers are star-shaped with 5 yellow petals with a reddish eye. The five stamens are united at the base by a fleshy band that is attached to the petals, giving them the appearance of an upright tube. Flowers may have a reddish margin and may have a dark-streaked resin canal (maroon or black). Flowers bloom from July to August.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are in a whorled pattern along the stem in groups of 4-5 most of the time. They are oval to lance-shaped and 2 to 4.5 inches long and .5 to 1.5 inches wide. The leaves are pointed at the tip with little to no stem at the base. The margins and undersides have scattered fine hairs.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Straight unbranched green stems, slightly pubescent
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Dry Soil