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Myriophyllum spicatum - L.

Common Name Water Milfoil, Eurasian watermilfoil
Family Haloragidaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Lakes, ponds, ditches etc, to 450 metres. Locally common, especially in calcareous waters[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, Asia, N. Africa, N. America..
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Water Plants Full sun
Myriophyllum spicatum Water Milfoil, Eurasian watermilfoil


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cleaned-Illustration_Myriophyllum_spicatum.jpg
Myriophyllum spicatum Water Milfoil, Eurasian watermilfoil
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fabelfroh

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Myriophyllum spicatum is a PERENNIAL.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Pond;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked[257]. Sweet and crunchy, the roots were a much relished food for several native North American Indian tribes[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Demulcent  Febrifuge

The plant is demulcent and febrifuge[178].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a sandy medium, rich in decaying organic matter, in full sun[200]. Plants overwinter as resting buds at the bottom of the pond[1]. Another report says that the plants do not form winter buds, but persist at the bottom of the pond[56]. This species is considered to have the potential to be invasive when introduced into some areas such as Texas[274]. A good water oxygenator[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but the seed is quite probably of limited germination, especially if it becomes dry, and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame if this is possible. Otherwise store the seed in a cool place in a jar of water and sow in the spring. Keep the pots in trays of water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the spring. Cuttings can be inserted directly into the soil of the pond at any time in the growing season[56]. Division.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Egypt (Sinai), Iran (west), Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Russian Federation (Altay), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Russian Federation (Kurile Islands, Primorye, Kamcatskij kraj, Sakhalin), China, Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku) TROPICAL ASIA: India (north), Nepal, Pakistan EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Romania, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Myriophyllum verticillatumMyriad Leaf, Whorl-leaf watermilfoilPerennial1.0 3-7  LMNWa10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Kelli Polleys   Mon Jan 10 14:43:33 2005

It's ugly.

Link: WAPMS Plants useful and easy-to-use

Matt   Wed Aug 18 23:30:20 2004

Korner S. & Nicklisch A (2002) Allelopathic growth inhibition of selected phytoplankton species by submerged macrophytes. J. Phycol 38: 862-871. Maybe it does have a use!

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