Report purple loosestrife sightings to Mesa County Noxious Weed and Pest Management

For National Invasive Species Awareness Week, Feb. 24 - 28, we are highlighting different noxious weeds each day to bring education to our community and receive support to protect our environment from invasive weeds. Today, we bring awareness to the purple loosestrife, a highly invasive plant that takes over wetlands, forming dense monocultures that degrade wildlife habitat and water quality. Once sold as an ornamental plant, it can still be found in older gardens and easily spreads to nearby waterways.

Identification features of the purple loosestrife: 

• Stalks of bright purple flowers
• Square stems
• Lance-shaped leaves with veins running parallel to the edges of the leaves
• Flowers July through September
• Perennial

We're actively removing purple loosestrife across the Grand Valley, and this high-priority noxious weed is limited in our area. With your help, eradication is possible!

If you see purple loosestrife in wetlands, swamps, or creeks, please report it to Mesa County Noxious Weed and Pest Management at weed.pest@mesacounty.us or call 970-255-7121. Mesa County Noxious Weed and Pest Management offers private property owners free management assistance with this weed.