Eurasian water-milfoil
Plant fragments, which break off easily, can be transported from lake to lake on boat trailers or fishing gear. These fragments can start new populations, which form dense mats that degrade habitat and reduce recreational access.
Common Name: Eurasian water-milfoil
Scientific Name: Myriophyllum spicatum
Native Range: Europe, Asia
Background
Eurasian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) is a submerged perennial that looks like many native aquatic plants, including native milfoil species. Eurasian water-milfoil usually has four feathery leaves whorled around the stem. Each leaf is finely divided into more than nine leaflets and the leaf tips are flat. The plant can reach lengths of 20 feet and branches near the surface. Tiny pink flowers may occur on an emergent spike during late summer.
Habitat
This plant grows in a variety of depths, sediment types, and flowing conditions.
NYS Distribution Map
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Identification
Eurasian water-milfoil has feathery leaves in whorls of four, and the leaf tips are blunt. When removed from the water, the leaves go limp.
Impact
Plant fragments, which break off easily, can be transported from lake to lake on boat trailers or fishing gear. These fragments can start new populations, which form dense mats that degrade habitat and reduce recreational access.
Prevention and Control
Once milfoil becomes well-established within a waterway, it is very difficult to remove. There are a variety of control methods used to manage milfoil infestations including physical, mechanical, biological, and chemical techniques.
