from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Loosestrife \Loose"strife`\ (l[=oo]s"str[imac]f`), n. (Bot.)
(a) The name of several species of plants of the genus
{Lysimachia}, having small star-shaped flowers, usually
of a yellow color.
(b) Any species of the genus {Lythrum}, having purple, or, in
some species, crimson flowers. --Gray.
[1913 Webster]
{False loosestrife}, a plant of the genus {Ludwigia}, which
includes several species, most of which are found in the
United States.
{Tufted loosestrife}, the plant {Lysimachia thyrsiflora},
found in the northern parts of the United States and in
Europe. --Gray.
[1913 Webster]