Lysimachia vulgaris - L.

Common Name

Yellow Loosestrife, Garden yellow loosestrife

Family

Primulaceae

USDA hardiness

4-8

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Marshes, streams and in shallow water in reed swamps[187]. Shady places near water, avoiding acid soils[4, 17].

Range

Most areas of Europe and Asia, including Britain, but excluding the extreme north and south.

Edibility Rating

(1 of 5)

Other Uses

(2 of 5)

Weed Potential

Yes

Medicinal Rating

(2 of 5)

Care (info)


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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lysimachia vulgaris is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from April to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Young leaves[105, 177]. No more details are given.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidiarrhoeal Astringent Demulcent Dysentery Expectorant

An astringent herb, yellow loosestrife is principally used to treat gastro-intestinal conditions such as diarrhoea and dysentery, to stop internal and external bleeding and to cleanse wounds[254]. The herb is astringent, demulcent and expectorant[4, 61]. It is harvested when in flower in July and dried for later use[4]. The plant can be used internally or externally and is useful in checking bleeding of the mouth, nose and wounds, restraining profuse haemorrhages of any kind and in the treatment of diarrhoea[4]. It makes a serviceable mouthwash for treating sore gums and mouth ulcers[254].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Dye

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[13, 100]. A brown dye is obtained from the rhizomes[13]. The growing plant repels gnats and flies, it has been burnt in houses in order to remove these insects[4].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in a moist or wet loamy soil in sun or partial shade[187]. Prefers a shady position[111]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Hardy to at least -25°c[187]. Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A very ornamental plant[1]. The sub-species L. vulgaris davurica. (Ledeb.)Kunth. is the form used for food in China and Japan[177].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[200]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Basal cuttings, March to April in a cold frame. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation (Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Tyva, Respublika, Yakutia-Sakha), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, China (Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu (west)) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France, Portugal AFRICA: Algeria

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Lysimachia barystachys	Manchurian yellow loosestrife	Perennial	0.6	4-8		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Lysimachia christiniae	Jin Qian Cao	Perennial	0.3	-		LMH	SN	M	0	2
Lysimachia clethroides	Gooseneck Loosestrife, Gooseneck yellow loosestrife, Japanese Loosestrife, Shepherd's Crook	Perennial	1.0	3-8	F	LMH	SN	M	1	0
Lysimachia eleutheroides		Perennial	0.0	-		LMH	SN	M	3	0
Lysimachia foenum-graecum	Ling Xiang Cao	Perennial	0.5	-		LMH	SN	M	0	1	1
Lysimachia fortunei		Perennial	0.5	6-9		LMH	SN	MWeWa	1	0
Lysimachia nemorum	Yellow Pimpernel	Perennial	0.5	5-9		LMH	SN	MWe	0	1
Lysimachia nummularia	Creeping Jenny, Moneywort, Creeping Charlie	Perennial	0.2	4-8	F	LMH	SN	MWeWa	1	2	3
Lysimachia paridiformis		Perennial	0.3	6-9		LMH	SN	MWeWa	0	2
Lysimachia quadrifolia	Whorled Yellow Loosestrife	Perennial	0.6	-		LMH	SN	M	1	1
Lysimachia sikokiana		Perennial	0.6	-		LMH	SN	M	0	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


S. E. Wood	Tue Jul 1 2008

I garden for an elderly lady (94) in whose garden this plant grows well. (Lewes, Sussex) Does anyone know a country name for Yellow Loosestrife ? She can't recall but thinks she used to know one.