Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) from
Hayden Lake, Idaho
What is Eurasian Watermilfoil?
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It is an extremely aggressive non-native
water weed.
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Eurasian watermilfoil crowds out
native plants and forms thick, floating mats on the surface of the water that
make boating, fishing and swimming almost impossible.
What does it look like?
It's a submersed, rooted perennial plant with smooth stems that branch near the
water surface. This branching can form large, floating mats of vegetation on the
surface of lakes, rivers and other water bodies, preventing light from reaching
native aquatic plants.
The leaves of Eurasian watermilfoil are feathery and occur around the stem. Each leaf
is 1/2 to 2 inches long, with 12 to 21 pairs of fine, thin leaflets. The leaves
rarely extend above the water surface and will collapse around the stem when
removed from the water. The upper portion of the plant often develops a reddish
color.
The flower is a spike which is often pink or red. It is held above the water
during flowering from June to September.
Why is it a Problem?
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Once introduced into a river
or lake, milfoil rapidly forms thick mats that make swimming, boating and
fishing difficult.
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Eurasian watermilfoil can cause
drowning by tangling swimmers in the thick beds.
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Eurasian watermilfoil alters
rivers and lakes by choking out native plants, thus harming fish and wildlife
habitat.
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Eurasian watermilfoil clogs
irrigation intake pipes and hinders power generation.
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