During summer months the Friends of the Liesbeek actively clears invasive lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) along the riverbanks. This fast spreading plant invades wetlands and stream banks and can quickly crowd out indigenous vegetation, sometimes forming near-monocultures.
Lythrum salicaria is listed as a Category 1a invasive under NEMBA, meaning it’s a targeted species that requires control/eradication. It has been recorded only in the Liesbeeck River and each year we survey known patches, map where it’s spreading, and remove plants before they can set seed.
If you spot lythrum along the Liesbeek (rose-purple flowers in dense spikes in summer), please send us a photo and its exact location so we can respond quickly. SANBI also encourages reporting sightings with locality details.