Spatulaleaf loosestrife (Lythrum portula, Feddes Repert. 71: 13 (1967))

Family: Lythraceae

Author: (L.) D.A.Webb

Bibliography: Feddes Repert. 71: 13 (1967)

Year: 1967

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lythrum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Azores, Europe to NW. Türkiye, NW. Africa

Description

Spatulaleaf loosestrife, known scientifically as Lythrum portula, is a fascinating and distinctive member of the Lythraceae family. With a notable publication reference in Feddes Repertorium in 1967, the plant was formally described by the botanist D.A. Webb, building on earlier taxonomy from the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus.

This versatile plant is native to a range of geographical regions encompassing the Azores, parts of Europe extending to northwest Türkiye, and northwestern Africa. Spatulaleaf loosestrife thrives in these diverse habitats, showcasing its adaptability and resilience.

Characterized by its sprawling growth habit, Lythrum portula often carpets the ground in moist environments such as wetlands, marshes, and damp meadows. Its stems are typically slender and somewhat trailing, with spatula-shaped leaves that give the plant its common name. These leaves are arranged oppositely along the stems and are notable for their smooth, glistening surface, which can catch and reflect sunlight, adding a subtle shimmer to its natural settings.

The plant produces small yet charming flowers, generally pink or purple in hue, which bloom during the warmer months. These flowers are delicate and may go unnoticed at first glance but contribute significantly to the biodiversity and aesthetic of their habitats. By attracting a variety of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, Spatulaleaf loosestrife plays an essential role in local ecosystems, aiding in the pollination process of surrounding flora.

Understanding Lythrum portula offers a glimpse into the intricate relationships within natural habitats where it occurs. Its ability to thrive across various regions and conditions establishes it as a resilient and adaptive species, worthy of both study and conservation efforts.

Common Names

Eng: spatulaleaf loosestrife, water purslane, water-purslane, spatulateleaf loosestrife
Deu: sumpfquendel
Dan: vandportulak
Nor: vasskryp, vassportulak
Fin: ojakaali
Swe: ojakaali, rödlånke
Fra: pourpier deau, pourpier d’eau, pourpier des marais, lythrum pourpier, péplis pourpier
Nob: vasskryp
Nno: vasskryp
Nld: waterpostelein
Cym: porpin, pwrpin, troed y gywen
En: Spatulaleaf loosestrife, Water purslane, Water-purslane, Spatulateleaf loosestrife
Da: Vandportulak
Nl: Waterpostelein
Fi: Ojakaali
Fr: Pourpier deau, Pourpier d’eau, Pourpier des Marais, Lythrum pourpier, Péplis pourpier, Péplis faux pourpier, Pourpier-d’eau
De: Sumpfquendel, Sumpfweiderich
It: Salcerella erba-portula
No: Vasskryp, Vassportulak
Nb: Vasskryp
Nn: Vasskryp
Sv: Ojakaali, Rödlånke
Cy: Porpin, Pwrpin, Troed y Gywen

Synonyms

• Lythrum portula subsp. longidentata ((J.Gay) P.D.Sell)
• Peplis portula subsp. longidentata ((J.Gay) Nyman)
• Peplis glandulifera (Dulac)
• Peplis serpyllifolia (Rupr.)
• Peplis fradinii (Pomel)
• Peplis portulacifolia (Gilib.)
• Peplis portula var. callitrichoides (Koehne)
• Peplis portulaca (Crantz)
• Peplis portula var. fradinii ((Pomel) Pau & Font Quer)
• Peplis portula var. longidentata (J.Gay)
• Peplis portula var. alternifolia (Bréb.)
• Peplis portula f. callitrichoides (A.Br. ex Koehne)
• Ammannia portula ((L.) Baill.)
• Lythrum portula var. callitrichoides ((A.Br. ex Koehne) Vasc.)
• Lythrum portula var. longidentatum ((J.Gay) Vasc.)
• Peplis longidentata ((J.Gay) Batt.)
• Portula palustris (Gray)
• Portula diffusa (Moench)
• Peplis portula f. aquatica (Brenner)
• Chabraea compressa (Bubani)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2022 by Jean-Marc Vanel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by Thierry Mougenot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Roselyne gilabert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2011 by Tela Botanica − David MERCIER (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2016 by Alfonso gutierrez espinoza (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 11, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2022 by Radoslav Marinkovic (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2022 by Radoslav Marinkovic (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 20, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2020 by Tessa Van Vreeswijk (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Joseph THIRY (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 30, 2022 by Thibaut Durr (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 11, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 4, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3188743)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:553777-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lythrum portula (L.) D.A.Webb)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 5