Lythrum alatum lanceolatum
Family: Lythraceae
Description: Perennial to 1 m high with linear elliptic leaves 1-6 cm long, hairless, sessile; lower leaves opposite, upper alternate. Flowers axillary, the petals 4-5 mm long, lavender or light purple. Flowers are pinkish‑purple to pale lavender, arranged in an umbrella‑like cluster at stem tips; each flower has six petals with a darker mid‑vein, giving a “winged” appearance.
Field Identification: Grows in a dense ball almost like a short shrub, with lance shaped leaves. Single pale, purple flowers bloom on short stalks that arise from leaf axils. Petals have a darker purple mid-vein and resemble the texture of wrinkled tissue paper. The fruit is a capsule containing tiny seeds. The stems are woody in the lower parts of the plant, square in cross section with slightly winged angles. The leaves are mostly opposite, stalk-less, broadly oblong and tapering towards the tip. They have smooth un-toothed edges. The flowers are borne singly or in pairs in the axils of the much-reduced upper leaves.
Plant Trivia:
Occurrence: Found on moist sands in depressions, swales, and marshes along the coast. Native to the U.S., including Texas,
Bloom Period: May-Nov
Plant Use: Provides nectar and shelter; supports pollinator diversity. Attracts bees, butterflies, and other insects
Dichotomous Key to the Genus Lythrum
- Petals 3-5 mm long, lavender…………….….L. alatum
Petals 6-7 mm long, violet purple…..L. californicum
