Magnificent Menace

Have you noticed the purple plague creeping through Windham?  Roadsides, drainage ditches, detention ponds and larger water bodies are turning purple with this beautiful, but unwanted, newcomer.  Admittedly, it is not just Windham.  The plant is called the Purple Loosestrife, and it is an invasive species spreading throughout the country.

                So, why is this plant so bad?  The flowers sure are pretty!  Well, it spreads quickly and crowds out all other plant species.  It has no natural predators so it can spread unchecked.  This destroys habitats and interrupts the food chain for our local wildlife.

                As with any invasive plant, there are three ways to control it: physical, biological and chemical.  For the homeowner, physical is really the only way to go.  An herbicide like Roundup can be used, but ONLY if the plant is not in a wet or drainage area.  Since this is the typical habitat, it should not be used.  There are a couple of insect predators being developed but those need to be introduced on a large scale, done by commissions, agencies and the like.

                That leaves us with pulling.  Now is the best time to pull Purple Loosestrife for those of us who can’t recognize it without the flowers.  However, it has viable seeds by now so you should first cut off the flowering part and bag it, then pull the plant.  That may sound unnecessary, but the adult plant can produce over 2 million seeds!  If you shake the flowering part while pulling the plant you are broadcasting the seeds which are as small as pepper flakes.  If you can distinguish plants without the tell-tale flowers, pull them in June or before the flowers come out – even better.

The plants must be pulled, not mowed.  If mowed the cut stem pieces can sprout roots and form new plants.  When pulled, try to remove all of the roots as roots left behind can re-sprout.  The roots from this year’s plant will re-sprout next spring.  Don’t make the mistake of putting the plants in the compost pile or grass clipping pile as that is a great place for the seeds and roots to sprout!

If you are like me, reading this reminds you of Mickey Mouse in the Sorcerer’s Apprentice.  The brooms keep splintering and multiplying.  It seems like an impossible task!  Maybe I miss a rootlet, maybe I shake the flower spike a little when I clip or pull.  However, it HAS to be better than letting the plant continue to grow and spread.

                I was aware of this invasive species thanks to my Mom and to an occasional news story.  Over the last couple of years I have noticed it more in my neighborhood and decided to look into it.  You can check out the NH Dept of Environmental Services factsheet here: http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/bb/documents/bb-45.pdf