| Eurasian watermilfoil | USDA PLANTS SYMBOL: MYSP2 |
| Myriophyllum spicatum Linnaeus | |
| Synonym(s): spiked watermilfoil | |
Eurasian watermilfoil is a submersed aquatic plant that invades lakes, ponds, and other aquatic environments throughout the United States. The plants are rooted and the stems grow up to the water surface, usually reaching 3 to 10 ft. (0.9-3 m) in length, however they can be as much as 30 ft. (9.1 m) long. Eurasian watermilfoil forms dense mats of bright green, finely dissected, whorled leaves. The delicate leaflets give this plant a feathery appearance. Eurasian watermilfoil requires stagnant to slowly moving water and can tolerate brackish conditions. Once established the dense mats of leaves restrict light availability, leading to a decline in the diversity and abundance of native macrophytes. In addition, Eurasian watermilfoil displaces the native species of watermilfoil and reduces habitats for fish spawning and feeding. Eurasian watermilfoil is native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. It was accidentally introduced into the United States sometime between the late 1800s and 1940s. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Foliage; Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Inflorescence Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Native to Africa, and Europe, invades lakes, ponds, and other water bodies throughout the United States. Alison Fox, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); a submersed aquatic plant at Cornell University Research Ponds Robert L. Johnson, Cornell University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Diagram or Graphic; Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 614. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |