Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L) is a beautiful flower, especially when seen in the large areas it has taken over. It is a species introduced from Europe 200 years ago, and without natural consumers (no native bugs/animals eat it) it has become an extremely invasive plant, displacing native species. Today there are programs in many states and in Canada attempting to eradicate the plant. It is listed as a Category 1 Invasive Plant on the USDA Forestry Service Invasive Exotic Plant Species List.
