Lythrum hyssopifoliaCommon name: Lesser Loosestrife

Meaning of name: Lythrum is from the Greek word lythron, meaning black blood. This is generally thought to refer to the purple colour of the flowers of some species. Hyssopifolia is from the Latin words hyssopus, meaning an aromatic herb, and folium, meaning leaf.

Distribution: Occurs from Yanchep to Albany.

Remarks: A sprawling plant to 20 centimetres tall. The pink flowers are produced from October to December. This plant is toxic to stock. It is native to southern Europe and possibly to eastern Australia where fossils of this plant from 20,000 years ago are known.

References: Western Weeds, A Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia. BMJ Hussey, GJ Keighery, J Dodd, SG Lloyd, RD Cousens. 1997.
Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings, a Glossary. FA Sharr. 1996.
Flora of the Perth Region. NG Marchant, JR Wheeler, BL Rye, EM Bennett, NS Lander, TD Macfarlane. 1987.