Photos
(Picture
courtesy of Debbie Bowen)Scientific Name: Myriophyllum spicatum, (Eurasian water milfoil) (1)
Description: Perennial. The weed is usually found under water. This plant was introduced to North America in the 1940's. (2, 4)
Leaves: Usually has 12 to 21 leaflets. Leaves will grow up to 1 inch long and are very fine and needle like. Leaves also become rigid when they are out of water. The leaves are usually divided into 9 leaflets, and the end of the leaves has a blunt tip. Some leaves may grow in a twirl pattern around the stem. When the leaves are taken out of the water they lose their stability and collapse around the stem. (2, 3)
Stems: Stout, and roots extend from the stem in many places. The stems are able to produce new plants by fragmentation (breaking off). The stem is usually pale pink to red to reddish brown and has feathery leaves. (2, 3)
Flower: The flowers of this weed radiate from the swirling leaves and form closely to the leaves. The growing tips at the end of the plant are usually a bright red color. The flower is in a spike form and is usually twice as wide as the stem. The spike on the flower is about 8 inches long. The flowers are above the water. (2, 3)
Roots: The roots are fibrous, and often occur on plant fragments. (2)
Reproduction: The plant spreads and reproduces by fragmentation, which is asexual, and also by sexual reproduction (flowers, fruit and seeds). (2)
Seeds: The seeds are usually about 2-3 mm long and come in bunches off of the weed. (3, 2)
Habitat and Range: Eurasian water milfoil is an aquatic weed. This weed is generally found near the surface or just below it. (4).
Links:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/weeds/milfoil.html
http://www.onefish.org/servlet/CDSServlet?status=ND0xMTI2Ny5q
http://www.fw.umn.edu/research/milfoil/milfoilbc.html
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/mysp1.htm
http://ceris.purdue.edu/napis/pests/ewm/
http://www.invasive.org/browse/subject.cfm?sub=3055
http://www.lakegeorgeassociation.org/html/eurasian_watermilfoil.htm
http://royal.okanagan.bc.ca/mpidwirn/plantsandanimals/milfoil.html#anchor287480
http://www.angelfire.com/ia/IowaExotic/EWM.html
http://www.fw.umn.edu/research/milfoil/milfoilbc/milfoil.html
Sources:
1. Debbie Bowen. "Eurasian water milfoil: fact sheet." MNSG. Feb. 11, 2004. Minnesota Sea Grant. 3/10/04, http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/exotics/eurasian.html.
2. "Plant Identification." Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program. . Aquatic Invasive Plant Project. 3/19/04, http://www.adkinvasives.com/Aquatic/PlantID/EMilfoil.html.
3. "Eurasian Water milfoil: Myriophyllum spicatum." Virginia Tech Weed Identification. . . 3/10/04, http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/mypsp.htm.
4. Colette Jacono. "Eurasian water milfoil." . 3/16/04. . 3/19/04, http://www.iisgcp.org/EXOTICSP/watermilfoil.htm.
5. "Minnesota DNR." Eurasian water milfoil. . . 3/18/04, http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/exotics/aquaticplants/milfoil/index.html.
By: Zac and Layne, 4/5/04. Updated By: Travis Sizemore, 2/8/05.
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