In honor of the summer solstice, I thought I’d highlight a sunny yellow flower:  the yellow whorled loosestrife (Lysimachia quadrifolia) are blooming seemingly everywhere right now. Whorled loosestrife is native to much of eastern North America, and can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from woodlands to dry fields to roadsides. In the last few days, I’ve seen them along forested trails in Bourne and Falmouth, as well as along the side of my driveway.

Yellow whorled loosestrife. Note the whorls of leaves and flowers. 

Each flower has 5 regular parts, with yellow petals with reddish centers and dark streaks or spots, and is approximately a half inch wide. The flowers grow on long stalks that extend directly from the axil. As the name implies, the leaves of this plant are conspicuously whorled, with leaves arranged in whorled tiers of 4 or 5 leaves each.  A set of flowers develops above each of these whorls of leaves.  The stems and leaves are hairy. The plant grows to be approximately 2 feet tall, often with a single stem.

An individual flower showing its reddish center and dark streaks along the petals. 

Top down view of the plant, highlighting the whorled arrangement of the leaves.

L. quadrifolia is a member of the primrose family (Primulaceae), so don’t be surprised if it somewhat resembles some of the primrose plants you have growing in your garden. Additionally, Plants For A Future indicates that the leaves of whorled loosestrife can be dried for tea. I’ve picked a few of the plants growing along my driveway to dry. I’ll post an update when I’ve given it a try.

Happy summer!