Lythrum virgatum

Species category

Weed

Common name

European wand loosestrife

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Irregularly obovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.

Size

  • Length 0.9–1.1 mm
  • Width 0.4–0.6 mm
  • Thickness 0.3–0.5 mm

Color

Reddish-brown

Texture

Minute rectangular reticulations

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
is on pointed end of the seed.

Identification notes

Seeds are quite irregular in shape but generally appear to be obovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.
. Seed surface is covered with minute reticulations.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Wyoming 

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Lythraceae

Valid name

Lythrum virgatum L.

 Lythrum virgatum.  Reddish-brown seeds with minutely rectangular reticulations.
Lythrum virgatum. Reddish-brown seeds with minutely rectangular reticulations.