Purple loosestrife
Three different flowers ![🌺](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t99/1/16/1f33a.png)
![🌸](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf0/1/16/1f338.png)
![🌼](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t9b/1/16/1f33c.png)
![🌿](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t1e/1/16/1f33f.png)
![🌺](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t99/1/16/1f33a.png)
![🌸](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf0/1/16/1f338.png)
![🌼](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t9b/1/16/1f33c.png)
![🌿](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t1e/1/16/1f33f.png)
The purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Lythraceae family.
During late summer, the banks of ditches light up thanks to its purplish-red flowers. This plant easily grows in damp areas where willows are particularly common: its leaves resemble those of willows, hence the species name “salicaria.”
The purple loosestrife can produce 3 different types of flowers ![🌺](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t99/1/16/1f33a.png)
![🌸](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf0/1/16/1f338.png)
that differ in the length of styles and stamens, but each plant carries only one type of flower. This feature was studied by Darwin. A bee
that feeds on nectar from one type of flower will receive a dusting of pollen that will pollinate a complementary flower. This system ensures that the flowers of a plant are fertilized only by pollen from another of the same species.
![🌺](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t99/1/16/1f33a.png)
![🌸](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf0/1/16/1f338.png)
![🌼](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t9b/1/16/1f33c.png)
![🐝](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t1f/1/16/1f41d.png)
![⁉️](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tec/1/16/2049.png)
![😲](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tad/1/16/1f632.png)
In the countryside, it was believed that little genies
, guardians of gold mines, were hidden in the plant.
![🧞♂️](https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t42/1/16/1f9de_200d_2642.png)
#LIFEprogramme #LIFEproject #EUpollinators #Natura2000
#lythrumsalicaria #loosestrife #pollinators #bees
Photo Pixabay
![369744087_622676239955959_8173610781652203556_n](https://mizar.unive.it/lifepollinaction.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/369744087_622676239955959_8173610781652203556_n.jpg)