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Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Description: Leaves in whorls of 4, with 14-20 pairs of leaf divisions. Stalk of tiny, reddish flowers may extend above or on water surface. Plant may reach lengths of 10 ft. (3 m) or more. Plant stems and leaves may become calcified in hard water areas.

Note: This species is an exotic plant, introduced to the U.S. by the aquarium industry. It is rapidly becoming a major nuisance throughout North America. It is capable of rapid dispersion, principally by fragmentation of plant parts. Each fragment is capable of growing roots and eventually developing into a new plant. Removal of fragments from boat trailers and along shorelines is advised to prevent its spread into new areas. Eurasian watermilfoil is quite competitive with native species and may completely dominate a plant community within a few years after introduction. due to the plant's ability to form dense growths, water use activities may become severely impaired. These plants are of little value to wildlife or fisheries.

Note: Drawing is used with permission from the Center for Aquatic Plants, University of Florida. Drawing cannot be copied without permission from the Center. Descriptions are from the book "How to Identify and Control Water Weeds and Algae", Edited by James C. Schmidt, 5th edition revised 1998, copyright 1976 Applied Biochemists.