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)


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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

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:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

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 :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Myriophyllum sibiricum	Siberian, American, common, or northern watermilfoil	Perennial	1.0	2-9	F	LMH	N	MWeWa	1	1	1
Myriophyllum verticillatum	Myriad Leaf, Whorl-leaf watermilfoil	Perennial	1.0	3-7		LM	N	Wa	1	0

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.

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Expert comment

Author

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!