Flower ID: IMG_0945.JPG-06-30-2017 Flower name (scientific): Lysimachia quadrifolia Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) ly-sih-MAK-ee-ah (or lis-ih-MAK-ee-ah) kwad-ree-FOH-lee-uh Flower name (common): Whorled Loosestrife Family name (common): Primrose Family name (scientific): Primulaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Two explanations are offered for this name. Named by Dioscorides after King Lysimachus (Lysimachos, 360 BCE – 281 BCE) of Thrace. Or from the Ancient Greek λύσιζ, lúsis, a loosening. Specific epithet: Latin for four-leaved. Common name origin: From the whorl of leaves along the stem. The other part, meaning to loose (end) strife, is apparently an ancient mistranslation of lysimachia, taken from the personal name Lysimachus. Flower description: Size: 0.3 to 0.7 inches (0.8 to 1.8 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: Yellow, with reddish markings and center. Other: flower arrangement, Solitary Plant description: Erect Size: 12 to 36 inches (30 to 91 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is whorl, type is simple Size: Leaves up to 12 cm long and 4 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, elliptic to lanceolate or ovate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): June to July Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Forests, fields, woods, part shade, dry to moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): The whorl of leaves with their surfaces sparsely to densely punctate (covered in darkened pits) help distinguish Lysimachia quadrifolia from other Lysimachia species. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes from Wisconsin. The Cherokee used the plant to treat bowel issues, as a gynecological aid, and to deal with kidney and urinary problems. The Iroquois the roots as an emetic (Moerman, p. 326, 1998). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Dane, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Polk, Portage, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, CT, DC, DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) In Canada: (NB, ON, QC) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na