Lysimachia quadrifolia

Drew Zellner

University of Georgia

Biology and Cellular Biology


Distant image of L. quadrifolia Another
Courtesy, John Pickering
Table of Contents

Higher Taxon:

Class: Dicotyledenae

Order: Primulales

Family: Primulaceae

Common Names: Whoorled Loosestrife

Description: According to botany.com, Lysimachia is found primarily in the temperate and subtropical climates of the Northern hemisphere, although a couple of species are indigenous and grow wild in Australia, South Africa, and South America. The blooms of lysimachia are typically small and star-shaped and the plant typically "...grows up to 3 feet high with a spread of 2 or 3 feet"botany.com.

Identification Guide: The whoorled loosestrife is a dicot herb found in typical savannah and dry-mesiac climates, usually in open woody areas, thickets, and along shores. Its small blooms of typical yellow color are hypogenous and have a complete regular flower sructure. Along the base of base of the petals, dark streaks and reddish blotches are found to distinguish it from other loosestrifes. Its roots are primary adventitious (rhizomes). The leaves of the whoorled loosestrife are simple, pinnate, and have a lanceolate leaf shape(Illinois Plant Information Network). The life cycle is described as perennial, with its flowering period beginning in late June and ending in early August. A very informative key is found at this site, which gives a good general overview of this plant.

Location of Lysimachia quadrifolia:
Lysimachia quadrifolia L.
AREA STATUS REFERENCES
North America:
Continental United States; Canada
YesUSDA Database
Eastern North America:
United States east of Mississippi;
Ontario and eastern Canada
YesUSDA Database
Southeastern United States:
AL AR DE DC FL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WV
YesUSDA Database
Southern Appalachian States:
AL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WV
YesUSDA Database
Coastal PlainYesDuncan & Kartesz 1981
PiedmontYesDuncan & Kartesz 1981
Blue Ridge MountainsYesDuncan & Kartesz 1981
Great Smokey MountainsYesDuncan & Kartesz 1981
Ridge and valleyYesDuncan & Kartesz 1981
Cumberland PlateauYesDuncan & Kartesz 1981
GeorgiaYesUSDA Database
Clarke County,GeorgiaYesUGA Herbarium Specimens


  1. Coffey, Vincent Joseph. 1973. Biosystematic Study of the Section Seleucia, Genus Lysimachia. University of Georgia Press. Athens, Ga.

  2. Duncan, WH & Kartesz, J.T. 1981. Vascular Flora of Georgia: An Annotated Checklist. University of Georgia Press. Athens, Ga.

  3. Fernald, M.L. 1950. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Company. New York, N.Y.

  4. Weishaupt, Clara G. 1968. Vascular Plants of Ohio. WM. C. Brown Book Company. Dubuque, Iowa

  5. Colie, Nancy & Jones, Samuel L. 1979. List of Georgia Plants in the University of Georgia Herbarium. Department of Botany. University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.

Links to very valuable websites: USDA Database botany.com

Another source of much appreciated help:

  • Mack, E. Stephen & Platt, Janan. 1997. HTML4.0 No Experience required. Sybex. San Francisco.