Lythrum salicaria

A herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to 6ft in height. It is found in wet locations, along river banks, and marsh land. It is quite abundant around the waters edges at the RSPB reserve at Fairburn Ings. The impressive flower head spikes of magenta flowers sway on the tall stems in the lightest of breezes. It flowers between June and August when it provides a valuable source of nectar for the bees and other long tongued insects including butterflies and moths.