Fringed Loosestrife (Steironema ciliatum ). Fringed 
Loosestrife is a very branching herb not at all like the 
other varieties. The smooth stem rises to heights of 
from 12 to 24 inches. The species receives its specific 
name Fringed ( ciliatum ), because of the fine hairs on 
the upper side of the leaf stems, the rest of the plant 
being smooth. 
The smooth, light green leaves are lance-shaped and 
pointed, on short petioles or stems growing oppositely 
on the plant stem. The flowers grow on slender pedicels 
from the axils of the terminal leaves; the golden-yellow 
corolla is divided into five ovate lobes, each terminat¬ 
ing in a sharp, twisted or mucronate point; around the 
center of ihe corolla is a reddish brown ring, formed 
by the small spots at the bases of the five lobes. The 
pale green pistil in the center is surrounded by ten 
stamens, five being fertile and the other alternating ones 
being abortive. 
Fringed Loosestrife is common in low ground and 
thickets from Newfoundland to British Columbia south¬ 
wards to the Gulf of Mexico. 
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