PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE 



The plant is famous as the one which was studied by 

 Darwin to establish the value of what is known as 

 trimorphic stamens, that is, stamens of three different 

 lengths. 



Purple Loosestrife. Lythrutn salicdria 



At the summit of the wand-like stem, in the axils 

 of leafy bracts, are groups of bright pink-purple flowers 

 which give the stalks a rosy, fringed appearance. 

 Several Lythrums are in cultivation, but this is the 

 best of them all, and is offered by the trade as Ly thrum 

 roseum and often planted among shrubbery. 



125 



