prairie wildflower
Whorled loosestrife
Lysimachia quadrifolia
Also known as Whorled Yellow Loosestrife, Prairie Loosestrife
1 of 2Native to much of the USA and southern Canada
Ontario and Manitoba, south to western Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois and northern Arkansas
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 3–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom May–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun and evenly moist soil. Its yellow flowers peak in June. At up to 3 ft, it suits meadows and sunny borders. Hardy in USDA zones 3–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Whorled loosestrife's yellow flowers bloom May to July, peaking in June. This early-summer display draws bees and moths.
Whorled loosestrife blooms yellowFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Golden Sweat Bee
also Bombus fervidus, Wilke's Mining Bee, Dark-footed Yellow Loosestrife Bee +5 more
Macropis fulvipes, Rediviva neliana, European Yellow Loosestrife Bee, Fringed Furrow Bee, Macoupin County sweat bee - Moths Lesser Maple Spanworm Moth
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (20): CT, DC, DE, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV. Canada (3): NB, ON, QC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Ontario and Manitoba, south to western Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois and northern ArkansasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8 · Canadian 4–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist, sometimes limey, soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- May–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jun–OctThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.