Content
Common loosestrife is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Primrose family. The genus includes more than a hundred varieties with different biological cycles. There are 8 varieties growing in Russia, the main distribution being the North Caucasus and the European part.
The plant received its specific name for its distant resemblance to willow
Description of common loosestrife
The appearance of the herbaceous plant depends on the variety; common loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris) grows in the form of a dense bush with straight stems. There are dwarf, ground cover and creeping representatives. The inflorescences are also of different types: paniculate, scale insects or solitary flowers in the leaf axils. The color is white, pink or yellow.
Characteristics of common loosestrife:
- The perennial plant forms a bush consisting of many stems.It grows in damp forests, along the banks of rivers and reservoirs, its favorite place is meadows near swamps.
- During the season, the length of the stems reaches 1 m. The shoots are erect, hard, with a light green, finely pubescent surface.
- The root system is branched, powerful, creeping. The crop is classified as an aggressive invader, since ornamental seedlings completely displace nearby herbaceous plants.
- The leaves are arranged in whorls of 4 pieces. The shape of the leaf blade is lanceolate, smooth at the top, pubescent at the bottom. The color is light green, the shape has solid, smooth edges.
- The flowers are small, collected in paniculate inflorescences, which are formed at the tops of the shoots.
- Flowers with five petals are bright yellow with an orange core.
- The fruits are round, brown seed pods.
Common loosestrife blooms in the first half of June, the seeds ripen from August to September. Flowering is long-lasting, abundant, the upper part of the bush is completely painted in bright yellow color.
Application in design
Common loosestrife is not classified as an exotic plant; it is a variant of simple wildflowers. In landscape design, common loosestrife is used:
- To simulate a corner of wild nature.
Common loosestrife serves as a decoration for the park edge
- For creating small compositions in a flower bed near the house.
Loosestrife looks advantageous in combination with hostas and creeping ivy
- Used in mixborders with ornamental shrubs.
Common loosestrife can become a color accent in a flower bed
- To decorate the foreground of a composition.
The plant goes harmoniously with irises
- To limit the perimeter of a flower bed or discounts
Without a yellow color accent, the composition would look unfinished
Features of reproduction
Common loosestrife quickly grows its root system; over the course of a season, the plant increases it by 2-3 times. For propagation, the method of dividing the parent bush is used. In the spring, common loosestrife is dug up, plots are cut off with a sharp knife and planted on the site. In 3 years, quite large empty areas can be filled. Under optimal conditions, the survival rate of common loosestrife is high; the plant is characterized by intensive shoot formation. Planted bushes bloom the same year.
The crop can be propagated by seeds. Planting material ripens at the end of September. The boxes are collected and the seeds of common loosestrife are immediately sown in a container. Seedlings grow at a temperature of 15 0C and regular watering. In the spring, young shoots can be planted in a designated place; after 3 years, the site will have a full-fledged flowering bush.
You can use the cutting method. In spring (before flowering) the material is cut from the middle of the shoots. They are placed in water, and when root threads appear, they are transferred to the ground.
Planting and caring for common loosestrife
Common loosestrife grows quickly and blooms profusely if the created conditions meet the biological requirements of the crop. Caring for herbaceous shrubs is simple; agricultural techniques include watering, fertilizing and autumn pruning of dry stems.
Recommended timing
A frost-resistant plant can be placed on the site at the beginning of the growing season or at the end. If common loosestrife is grown from seeds, seedlings in cold climates may not survive the winter, even with shelter.It is better to plant seedlings on the site in mid-spring, then there will be no problems with survival.
Dividing common loosestrife can also be done at the beginning or end of the season. For culture, the procedure is allowed no more than once every 3 years. If the weather permits and the ground is not frozen, plots are placed on the site at the first appearance of sprouts.
Site selection and soil preparation
The herbaceous shrub will grow on any soil, as long as it is fertile. A good option is waterlogged peatlands.
The plant is planted in lowlands, along the banks of reservoirs, in areas with close groundwater.
If this is not possible, you will have to water the common loosestrife often and abundantly.
Well-lit areas are chosen for the culture; periodic shading is allowed, but not constant shadow under the canopy of trees. If there is a deficiency of ultraviolet light, common loosestrife will not bloom. Before planting, the area is fertilized and rotted compost is added to the soil.
Landing algorithm
After removing the plant from the soil and dividing it into several parts, it is planted together with the remaining earthen lump.
Some of the old roots can be cut off, but this must be done carefully so as not to damage the root shoots.
Planting common loosestrife:
- The root system of the plant is superficial, so it does not need a deep hole. It is enough to dig 10 cm deep. The width is determined by the root ball.
- When planting, the plant is not deepened much. Common loosestrife will independently occupy the space it needs.
- A mixture of peat and compost is placed at the bottom of the pit, and ash is added.
- Place the plant and cover it with soil.
- The soil is gently pressed down. If there are sprouts, they are left on the surface.
Features of cultivation
Common loosestrife is an unassuming plant. He doesn't need any special care. There is no need for loosening and weeding, it completely displaces nearby growing weeds, the root system is superficial and grows strongly, so the soil around the loosestrife is not touched so as not to damage the root.
If a herbaceous shrub is planted on the shore of a reservoir or in a wetland, then watering is recommended only during abnormal drought.
A crop placed in a dry area requires regular watering
The frost-resistant plant overwinters without shelter at any age. After flowering, the stems are cut off completely. In the fall, common loosestrife is fed with organic matter; compost can be added in the spring.
Pests and diseases
Common loosestrife is a wild species characterized by strong immunity. The plant practically does not get sick. Among the pests, aphids can parasitize the bush. When insects first appear, the crop is treated with Antitlin.
Medicinal properties of common loosestrife
In folk medicine, all parts of the plant are used. The leaves, flowers and stems of the plant contain many medicinal substances. The following components are of particular value:
- ascorbic and silicic acid;
- routine;
- saponins;
- tannins;
- essential oils.
The plant has a hemostatic, anesthetic effect, promotes rapid tissue regeneration in wounds, and has astringent and antiseptic properties.
Use in folk medicine
In alternative medicine, lotions, decoctions and tinctures based on common loosestrife are used. They are used to eliminate:
- diarrhea;
- bleeding;
- thrush;
- festering wounds;
- stomatitis;
- eczema.
The leaves relieve pain, stop bleeding on fresh wounds, and disinfect. Powder from the roots and flowers relieves inflammation from abscesses.
Recipes for decoctions and infusions
To stop internal bleeding (especially important with heavy menstrual flow), an infusion prepared from 1 tbsp is recommended. l. dry loosestrife leaves and 200 ml of boiling water. The raw materials are poured and left for 6 hours. Drink 100 ml in two doses (morning and evening). The daily norm, the course of treatment is 7 days.
To prepare a tonic to restore strength after illness you will need:
- fresh leaves of the plant - 2 tbsp. l.;
- vodka or alcohol – 200 ml.
Cooking technology
- The leaves are crushed and poured into a glass container.
- Fill with vodka or diluted alcohol.
- Close tightly and place in a dark place.
- Leave for a week and filter.
Take 15-20 drops. 4 times a day.
Medicinal raw materials are harvested from the top of the shoots
A drink made from loosestrife, rosemary, and chamomile helps with headaches during colds or seasonal respiratory infections. 2 tbsp. l. dry or fresh raw materials, pour 400 ml of boiling water, allow to cool, and drink.
Collection, preparation, storage of raw materials
Raw materials are harvested during flowering:
- Cut off the upper part of the stems with inflorescences and leaves, retreating about 15 cm from the base.
- Remove dry fragments and cut into pieces of 2-3 cm.
- Dry the workpiece in the shade with good air circulation.
- Store in a dry place in a canvas or paper bag.
You can squeeze the juice from the plant. Leaves with flowers are placed in a blender bowl, crushed until smooth, the liquid is squeezed out and poured into a plastic container, tightly closed and stored in the freezer.
The root also has health benefits. It is dug in late autumn, cleared of soil, hung dry and stored.
Restrictions and contraindications
The medicinal properties of common loosestrife have not been widely used in traditional medicine, since there are a number of contraindications when the remedy cannot be taken:
- with high blood pressure;
- people suffering from varicose veins;
- for thrombosis;
- in case of an allergic reaction to the composition;
- with poor blood clotting.
Conclusion
Common loosestrife is a perennial herbaceous shrub with bright yellow flowers. An unpretentious frost-resistant plant is used in ornamental gardening. The culture has medicinal properties; this feature has found application in alternative medicine.
Thanks for the information! This grows on the banks of the river, although either someone cut off the tops or some animals ate them.