Spiked Loosestrife (Noun)
Meaning
Marsh herb with a long spike of purple flowers; originally of Europe but now rampant in eastern United States.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The invasive spiked loosestrife has taken over the marsh, choking out native plants and altering the ecosystem.
- Spiked loosestrife was first introduced to North America as an ornamental plant, but it quickly spread beyond control.
- The long purple spikes of the spiked loosestrife are a striking sight in the marsh, but they also signal a problem.
- Conservation efforts are underway to eradicate the spiked loosestrife from the marsh and restore native vegetation.
- The spiked loosestrife has become a nuisance in many eastern states, where it outcompetes native plants for water and nutrients.