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Lysimachia quadrifolia
Lysimachia quadrifolia L.
Whorled Yellow Loosestrife, Whorled Loosestrife, Prairie Loosestrife
Primulaceae (Primrose Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: LYQU2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A 1-3 ft. perennial with very narrow, stiff leaves and slightly toothed, yellow flowers from leaf axils. Delicate, yellow, stalked, star-like flowers rise from the axils of whorled leaves.
The whorled leaves and flowers are the characteristic features of this rapidly spreading member of the Primrose Family. The genus name honors Lysimachus, a king of ancient Sicily who is said to have used a member of the genus to pacify a maddened bull. Colonists also fed the plant to oxen so that they would work together peacefully.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AL , CT , DC , DE , GA , IL , KY , MA , MD , ME , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: NB , ON , QC
Native Distribution: Ont. & Man., s. to w. VA, KY, IL & n. AR
Native Habitat: Fens; moist prairies
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, sometimes limey, soils.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesValue to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Seeds require light for germination so sow on top of soil.Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
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 quadrifolia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Lysimachia quadrifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lysimachia quadrifolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-17Research By: TWC Staff