July 6, 2004
Purple Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria
This is the infamous flower that made "invasives" a household word.
Of Eurasian origin, the plant initially became established in swamps
and wet meadows, turning them a splendid magenta in July.
Although beautiful, they have virtually no wildlife value (they benefit no
other plants or animals) and they crowd out native plant species.

This plant is blooming in Lusitania Field next to the "mountain" of soil,
nowhere near a wetland.