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fresh flower
lysimachia
These graceful spikes add a distinctively garden “flavor” to floral
designs.
by Steven W. Brown, AIFD |
Lysimachia clethroides
Japanese loosestrife,
Chinese loosestrife
Photo courtesy of Flower
Council of Holland
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1
PARTICULARLY ASIAN. Primarily native to China, Korea, and Japan
(although some species are native to parts of Europe, Africa, Australia,
and South America as well), Lysimachia is a member of the relatively
small Primulaceae family, which also comprises Primula (primrose) and
Cyclamen. Lysimachia (pronounced lie-si-MAKE’-ee-uh) is commonly known
as “loosestrife,” and it strongly resembles Veronica; however, there is
no botanical relationship between the two.
2
CURVACEOUS FLORA. There are more than 150 species of Lysimachia,
the two most commercially available of which are L. clethroides
(Japanese or Chinese loosestrife) and L. punctata (golden or garden
loosestrife). L. clethroides bears tightly packed star-shaped white
florets on gracefully curved spikes that are 3 to 4 inches long (the
spikes often become erect as they mature). The golden yellow L. punctata
flowers are much taller and larger than L. clethroides.
3
ANCIENT HISTORY. The botanical name, Lysimachia, is a Latinized
version of the Greek word “lysimachos,” which means “ending strife.” The
common name is a version of the same. The botanical name is a tribute to
King Lysimachus, who was ruler of ancient Thrace (now northeast Greece,
northwest Turkey, and southern Bulgaria) from 306-281 B.C.
4
GET’EM YEAR-ROUND. Lysimachia is available from May through
November from California growers and year-round from Holland suppliers.
5
OPEN AND CLOSED. For maximum vase life, these flowers should be
purchased when the lower one- third of the florets are open. Look for
signs of damaged florets or spike tips as well as rot on the stems or
blossoms. Also check for any brown or yellow foliage.
6
SPECIAL TREATMENT. When these flowers arrive in your store,
unwrap them, remove any lower leaves, recut the stems on an angle with a
sharp knife, and dip or place them into a hydration solution. Next,
place the stems into a properly prepared flower-food solution, and let
them hydrate in a floral cooler for at least two hours before designing
with or selling them. Misting these blossoms with room-temperature water
is beneficial.
7
COLD IS COOL. Lysimachias should be stored in a floral
refrigerator at approximately 34 F to 36 F, with relative humidity of 90
percent to 95 percent.
8
FRESH WATER, fresh cuts. To increase their longevity, recut these
stems and change the flower-food solution at least every other day.
9
WATCH THE GAS. Lysimachias are slightly sensitive to ethylene
gas, so ask your supplier if his or her flowers have been treated with
an ethylene inhibitor. These blossoms can last from eight to 12 days
after harvest if properly cared for during all stages from farm to
consumer.
10
HEALING PROPERTIES. Lysimachia is known as an essential herb and
is used in Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of high blood
pressure. Derivatives of loosestrife, known as “flavonol glycosides,”
are also used for treating liver, gall-bladder, kidney, and bladder
problems; as an astringent and styptic; to treat burns and scalds; and
more. 5
Steven W. Brown, AIFD, is a professor and department chair of
horticulture and floristry at City College of San Francisco with 25
years of consulting and educational experience in the floral industry.
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