Purple loosestrife alongside creek, Biesbosch, Netherlands

''Lythrum salicaria'' or purple-loosestrife is a flowering plant belonging to the family Lythraceae. It should not be confused with other plants sharing the name loosestrife that are members of the genus ''Lysimachia'' in the family Primulaceae. This herbaceous perennial plant is native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and eastern Australia.