Lysimachia clethroides - Gooseneck Loosestrife

Family:	Primulaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan. Naturalized in Holland.

Lysimachia clethroides (Gooseneck Loosestrife) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 4.
Gooseneck Loosestrife will flower in January to March. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Gooseneck Loosestrife will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Gooseneck Loosestrife prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Gooseneck Loosestrife can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Sunny grassy hills and at low altitudes in mountains all over Japan[58, 187].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in a moist loamy soil[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[188]. Hardy to about -25°c[187]. Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. Succeeds in a woodland or semi-wild garden, it often spreads wildly[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Leaves and young shoots - cooked and used as a vegetable[183]. A famine food, they are only used when all else fails[179]. They can also be used as a condiment[46, 61, 183]. Fruits and flowers are said to be edible[177, 183] but no further details are given. The fruit is very small[200].

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
• Flowers -
• Fruit -
• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow autumn in a cold frame[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[200]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Ohwi. G.
Author: Ohwi. G.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1965

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

Flora of China

Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher : On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Date of Publication : 1994

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