Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a highly invasive non-native plant that threatens significant portions of Maryland’s marsh, swamp, and coastal habitats. By crowding out native wetland species, purple loosestrife can reduce biodiversity, eliminate food sources for marsh animals and change water flow patterns.

Alongside the roadsides in upstate New York, we see Purple loosestrife. I think the flowers are gorgeous. I love the bright sprigs of color up against the green background prominent here in the Catskill foothills. When driving, the purple flowers lift my spirit.

My attitude comes across as ignominy to the botanist, who has defined Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) as a highly invasive non-native plant that threatens native species. Purple loosestrife is a flower in the wrong place, a weed. The flower is censored out of the mindset for plant care. In fact, purple loosestrife should be killed in the eyes of the purist.

Purple loosestrife was introduced to eastern North America from Europe and Eurasia in the 19^th century, brought from the old world as a cure for homesickness in an alien space.

This teaches me 3 lessons:

1. What I consider familiar may be alien to others
2. What I consider alien may be familiar to others
3. The top two lessons affect how I communicate and connect with others

Acting on these lessons I find love is definitely the connecter, not flowers, not words, not lifestyles, not fashion, but love.

From 21^st Century Science and Health, “Jesus’ words and works were alien to the world’s expectations and contrary to the world’s religious views. Mortals believed in God as humanly mighty, rather than as divine infinite Love…Intellectualism clings to the person of Jesus for salvation, instead of divine Principle, and the curing power of God is silenced. Truth deprives drugs of their imaginary power and clothes Spirit with supremacy. Science is the “alien within your gates,”[1] remembered not, even when its elevating effects pragmatically prove its divine origin and efficacy.”

[1] Ex. 20:10; Deut. 5:14