The paper discusses the Lythrum salicaria L. species systemic, biology, ecology and distribution, its ecologic impact, given by the quick ability to colonize new habitats, as well as current uses. The purple loosestrife is a common species in the Romanian flora, frequently occurring in the shoreline vegetation of humid areas, as well as in other biotypes (e.g. agricultural crops, road sides, ditches). A European native species, widely spread. The current research discuss not only control methods for areas where it is not native and where its spread is out of control (HIGHT, 1988, KNEZEVIC et al. 2004, RUSSELL-MERCIER & SARGENT 2015), but also its medicinal potential, in relation to the species possibilities (PIWOWARSKI et al., 2015) or its importance in apiculture, considering the large flower number on its inflorescence, the nectar quantity they produce and the long lasting plant bloom (BENVENUTI et al., 2016). The plant use in ameliorating the quality of eutrophic saline waters represents another option (ZHAO et al., 2014). Under certain prevention measures, it can be used ornamentally. In our country, the species is encountered in the vegetation of the following classes: Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Tx. 1937, Phragmitetea Tx. et Prsg. 1942, Salicetea purpureae Morr 1958, Alnetea glutinosae Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Westhoff et al., 1946, Bidentetea Tx., Lohm. et Prsg. 1950. During the study of humid area vegetation, we identified Lythrum salicaria L. in 28 phytocoenoses of the following palustrine associations: Scirpo-Phragmitetum W. Koch 1926, Typhaetum angustifoliae Pignatti 1953, Typhaetum latifoliae G. Lang 1973, Glycerietum maximae Hueck 1931, Iretum pseudacori Eggler 1933, Eleocharidetum palustris Schennikow 1919, Phalaridetum arundinaceae (Horvatič 1931) Libbert 1931, Caricetum ripario-acutiformis Kobenza 1930, Bidentetum tripartiti W. Koch 1926, Salicetum albae Issler 1924 s.l., Rubo-Salicetum cinereae Sonasak 1963. The species does not pose invasion problems in the habitats where we discovered it, being considered in the context of the overall cormophyte flora diversity as a part of the above mentioned associations floral composition. As a result of our investigations, we believe a reconsideration of this species is in order, in the habitats where its presence may bring about beneficial implications.

Lythrum salicaria L., humid areas, Banat, invasive potential, usage possibilities

Presentation: oral