This is a large genus with about 150 species of perennial herbs consisting of a few species worthy of landscape use and several weedy species. The leaves are without marginal teeth and the flowers may be borne in whorls or terminally. The plants frequent moist, open locations.

Note: Although it shares the common name, loosestrife, this is NOT the invasive species know as purple loosestrife that is clogging up the wetlands. That is the species Lythrum salicaria.