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Brazilian Water-Milfoil Myriophyllum aquaticum

Phonetic Spelling
my-ree-oh-FIL-um a-KWA-ti-kum
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

Parrot feather is an invasive water plant that can cover the entire surface of a pond. This plant is native to South America, Australia and New Zealand in the more tropical areas. In the USA it is found in coastal and southern states invading shallow lakes, ponds, ditches and backwaters in rivers forming dense mats. The monocultures disrupt the growth of native aquatic plants and provide breeding areas for mosquitoes as well as impeding water sports. It is sometimes used in aquariums as an oxygenator. 

The delicate, feathery bright-green to blue-green leaves grow in a whorl around the stem both in and out of the water. The vines can grow up to 6 feet long and will become erect and leafy at the ends and can root in the soil on the banks of ponds. Only female plants are known to grow in the US so the tiny flowers do not produce fruits. Spread in vegetatively.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:   Listed as invasive by the NC Invasive plant council and in other states. See native alternatives to the left.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#invasive#full sun tolerant#water garden#wetlands#high maintenance#aggressive#spreading#pond garden#wet soils tolerant#aquariums#perennial#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#invasive#full sun tolerant#water garden#wetlands#high maintenance#aggressive#spreading#pond garden#wet soils tolerant#aquariums#perennial#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Myriophyllum
    Species:
    aquaticum
    Family:
    Haloragaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South America, Australia and New Zealand,
    Wildlife Value:
    Submerged foliage serves as shelter for fish, helps remove excess nutrients and acts as an oxygenator
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Water Plant
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruit is produced in the USA as only female plants are known to grow here
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Inconspicuous flowers are formed in the axils of the emergent leaves in the spring, Flowers are not pollinated in the US
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Small leaves in whorls; on 5-6 foot stems. Aerial foliage has a deeper blue-green color, submerged foliage is bright green.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Dense, tough reddish-green stems
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Invasive Species