Lysimachia quadrifolia – Native Gardens of Blue Hill

Etymology

The genus name Lysimachia honors Lysimachus, a Macedonian king from the 4th century BC. According to legend, he used a sprig from this plant to calm two oxen that were fighting while yoked to a cart. The plant’s effect on the oxen, easing their aggression, led to the common name “loosestrife,” symbolizing the resolution of conflict.

Quadrifolia is latin for “having four leaves” (quad means four and folia means leaf).

Native Habitat

Fens, moist prairies, woodlands, clearings, sand plains, dry fields and roadsides.

Garden Uses

Whorled loosestrife is a tough, adaptable, and attractive perennial. Its vibrant yellow blooms and distinct whorled leaf arrangement bring a lively touch to any garden. Its spreading growth habit makes it ideal for quickly filling in bare areas, or creating drifts along a path or in a mixed bed. Young leaves may display a red tint, adding visual interest to the garden. It can behave in a mixed bed, but if it starts crowding out nearby plants or reducing airflow around a shrub, simply trim it back to a more manageable height.

Overview

A 2-3 ft. tall spreading perennial with whorled arrangements of leaves and cheerful yellow flowers. Widespread in the eastern United States, it prefers sunny, moist soils but adapts to drier sites and a wide range of soil types.

Leaves and Stems

Whorled arrangements of 4-5 lance-shaped, sharply pointed simple green leaves that grow 1-1/2 to 5 inches long, 1/3 to 1-1/2 inch wide, with smooth edges (entire) and little to no stalk (petiole). Leaf edges, undersides, and nodes may be covered with very fine hairs. The upper surface is hairless with small dark pits. Young leaves are often tinged red. Stems are smooth and typically unbranched.

Flowers

Star-shaped yellow flowers with a red center protrude on thin, hair-like stalks at the leaf axils. Five-petaled yellow flowers are 1/2-inch wide. Each tiny petal may have red streaks, base, or edges. Yellow stamen are also red-tipped and surround the yellow style.

Fruit/Seed

A small (3–3.5 mm) seed capsule gradually dries and splits to release tiny brown seeds.

Wildlife Associates

Members of the genus Lysimachia are pollinated by specialist bees known as loosestrife bees (Macropis spp.). These native bees are solitary, meaning they don’t form hives or large colonies. They are also non-boring, which means they don’t burrow into wood to build their nests. Instead, loosestrife bees create their nests underground, where they raise their young.

Whorled yellow loosestrife is generally deer-resistant and not typically bothered by pests.

Propagation

Spreads by rhizomes and seeds. Divide mature plants, or surface-sow seeds as they need light to germinate. Gather seed just before the capsule opens and plant immediately.

Ethnobotanical Uses

The Cherokee used this plant to treat kidney and urinary conditions.

Garden Location

Library Garden (see garden map)

Anecdotal Information

This plant may be too aggressive for some gardens when given a moist sunny site. However, due to the airy nature of its unbranched stems and fine, whorled leaves, it does not appear to crowd out neighboring perennials in shadier situations.