Natthager · CC BY-SA 4.0
About
The genus *Lysimachia* is a large group of flowering plants, many of which are known as loosestrife and are characterized by their vigorous growth and tendency to thrive in damp conditions. The species are notable for their yellow flowers and are used as food sources by several types of butterfly and moth larvae.
Field notes
Morphology
Species often feature yellow flowers and generally grow vigorously. Some species are noted for specific leaf or flower shapes, such as the 'fringed' or 'whorled' descriptions, but no general measurements or color details are provided for the entire genus.
Distribution & habitat
The genus has a wide distribution, including North America (e.g., Atlantic coastal plain, Eastern North America), Hawaii (e.g., Kauaʻi, Maui), the Azores, the Caribbean, and Eurasia (e.g., Europe, Chile).
Ecology
The species are used as food plants by the larvae of several butterflies and moths, including the dot moth, grey pug, and lime-speck pug. Furthermore, certain floral oils are specialized attractants for bees of the genus *Macropis*.
History & etymology
The genus is named in honor of Lysimachus, a king of ancient Sicily, who was said to have calmed a mad ox by feeding it a member of the genus. Fossil seeds have been described from middle Miocene strata in Central Jutland, Denmark, and Pliocene strata in south eastern Belarus.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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