parrotfeather
Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc.
Description from Invasive.org
- Appearance
- Myriophyllum aquaticum is an herbaceous, rooted, submerged to emergent plant that invades aquatic habitats throughout much of the United States. Stems are stout and blue-green in color.
- Foliage
- Leaves are abundant, whorled, pinnately compound, and finely dissected. Submersed leaves are 0.6-1.4 in. (1.5-3.5 cm) long and have 20 to 30 divisions per leaf. Emergent leaves are 0.8-2 in. (2-5 cm) long, less divided and greener than the submersed leaves.
- Flowers
- As only female plants occur in North America, reproduction occurs vegetatively. Inconspicuous flowers are formed in the axils of the emergent leaves in the spring (sometimes fall).
- Fruit
- No fertile fruit is known to be produced in the United States.
- Ecological Threat
- Myriophyllum aquaticum's potential range is yet to be determined. In more southern regions, this plant forms monocultures that clog waterways, impeding recreational and commercial boating activities. These monocultures also disrupt the growth of native aquatic plants and provide breeding areas for mosquitoes. Myriophyllum aquaticum is a common water garden plant, which has the potential to escape into local waterways. Control of this plant is extremely costly.
Resources
- Fact Sheet - Ontarios Invading Species Awareness Program
- Global Invasive Species Database - Invasive Species Specialist Group
- Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Selected Images from Invasive.org
View All Images at Invasive.org
Infestation
Graves Lovell, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Graves Lovell, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage Emerging leaves
John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage
Graves Lovell, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Graves Lovell, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s)
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage Emerging leaves
John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage
Graves Lovell, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Graves Lovell, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage