Eurasian Water Milfoil - Myriophyllum spicatum
  • A submerged aquatic which can root to depths of 10m although it is usually found in water 0.5-3.5m deep
  • It is very similar to the native M. sibiricum except its leaves have 12-21 leaflet pairs and M. sibiricum has only 5-9 leaflet pairs
  • Introduced by the aquarium trade?

The Problem

  • Grows quickly in the spring producing dense, difficult to control mats which:
    - shade out other plants
    - can act as mosquito breeding grounds
    - alter the water quality for fish by decreasing dissolved oxygen levels
    - makes recreational use difficult
    - clogs pipes, irrigation canals and water and power generation intakes
  • Difficult to contain because it propagates readily from fragments attached to boats, fishing gear etc.

Distribution

  • First descovered in NB in 2000 in a pond in Fundy National Park
  • Currently found in the BC, ON and PQ as well as at least 45 states in the USA
  • Can survive in the wide range of environmental conditions from flowing to stagnant water but does best in more alkaline waters