I made my way from wetlands throughout Europe.

Settlers that came to North America brought me over for their flower gardens. I also stowed away in soil used in the ballast holds of early European freighters before water was used.

When I’m on the loose, which is typical for me, I cause strife (loosestrife, get it?). I push out lots of native wetland plants because I’m a hardy type. Hundreds of species of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, fish and amphibians are forced to look for food in other places because their favorite plants are gone and I am no use to them. Wildlife also have a harder time finding shelter, reproducing and raising their young because the habitat they’re used to is no longer there. Did I mention that I even invade farmers’ crops and pasture lands.

There are many ways to get rid of me…well, not actually get rid of me, but at least keep me in check. If it’s a place where I haven’t reached my full potential and my population is sparse (1-50 plants) you can dig me up or pull me out by hand. Ouch! Be sure to get as much of my roots as possible because loosestrife can even grow from broken roots. You can use chemicals to control me. Using an approved herbicide and selectively spraying will destroy me and keep other plants safe. Biological control is getting more and more popular now because wetland managers are realizing it is pretty effective in larger stands. Galerucella beetles were specially chosen because they are my natural enemies. I thought I had escaped from them! Some eat up my leaves or flowers, and others can feed on my root tissue and eventually I shrivel and die. There goes my beautiful wickedness!