This naturalized perennial was introduced from Europe as a garden plant. This showy plant grows up to 5 feet tall. The large purple flowers are on multiple spikes up to 12 inches long (A). Identified by its large magenta to violet flowers.
Grows near water, flowering in July and August. In Fontenelle Forest, currently rare (thankfully). One plant was found along the Missouri River at the end of Child’s Hollow Trail. At Neale Woods, one population of about 25 plants was found and eradicated in 2002 along the Missouri River. One flowering plant was found near the floodplain parking lot of Fontenelle Forest in July, 2012, the year after the big flood it was destroyed. Since then, more of these invasive plants have been found on the floodplain, and were destroyed.
This is a very aggressive plant and is considered a noxious weed. It crowds out native wetland species and is difficult to eradicate once established. This is one of a few aggressive plants which should be destroyed on sight.
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