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Cressler, Alan
Lysimachia ciliata
Lysimachia ciliata L.
Fringed Loosestrife, Fringed Yellow Loosestrife
Primulaceae (Primrose Family)
Synonym(s): Steironema ciliatum, Steironema pumilum
USDA Symbol: LYCI
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Fringed Yellow Loosestrife is an erect to sprawling, often branched perennial, usually 1-2 ft. tall, forming large masses of pale-green, lance-shaped foliage. An erect stem, unbranched or branched, bearing five-petaled yellow flowers rising on stalks in axils of opposite leaves; leafstalks fringed with spreading hairs.
The name emphasizes the hairy leafstalks of this wetland plant, which is sometimes placed in the genus Steironema. Southern Loosestrife (L. tonsa) has smooth leafstalks, grows only to 3' (90 cm) tall, and occurs from Kentucky and Virginia south to Georgia and west to Texas. Lance-leaved Loosestrife (L. lanceolata) has narrow leaves tapering to the base and occurs in a range similar to that of Fringed Loosestrife but not in Canada or the northern Plains states. Trailing Loosestrife (L. radicans) has very weak stems, virtually trailing on the ground, and occurs in the south-central United States east to Florida and Virginia.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall, often shorter.
Flower: Flower 1 inch
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , YellowBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Yellow, sometimes with reddish base.
Distribution
USA: AK , AL , AR , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NS , NU , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Que. to B.C., s. to FL, TX & CO, mostly east of the Rocky Mountains, Zones 4 to 8
Native Habitat: Low grounds; thickets; woods; stream banks
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium , HighLight Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Rich, organic, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: Tolerates seasonal flooding.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Nice as a shady groundcover.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root Division , SeedsDescription: Propagate by division of mature plants or rhizome cuttings in spring or fall. Seeds require light for germination so sow on top of soil.
Seed Collection: Viable 2 months after blooming
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW |
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiBibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Lysimachia ciliata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Lysimachia ciliata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lysimachia ciliata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-17Research By: TWC Staff