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Species
Information
- Eurasian watermilfoil (spike watermilfoil)
- Myriophyllum
spicatum L.
- USDA
Symbol: MYSP2
- Oregon
Noxious Weed Designation: B
- Pictures
Identification:
Perennial, aquatic plant. Purplish red branching stems grow up to 5 feet long. Feather-like leaves in whorls of 4 at each node. Male flowers purplish and appear at the end of the flowering stem. Lower, whitish flowers female.
Impacts:
Eurasian watermilfoil has significant economic impacts to waterways, irrigation ditches, and drainage canals where it can inhibit flow and increase maintenance costs. It is also a pest of rivers, lakes and ponds were it reduces water quality, impeded recreation and boat access and have adverse impact to fish habitat. Elevated nutrient levels created by erosion, fertilizers or urban effluent create a rapid growth response that can render a waterway clogged within a short period of time. Expensive control projects frequently target this plant across North America.
Biological
Controls: One biocontrol agent, the watermilfoil moth, has been approved for this plant.
Oregon
Maps of Eurasian Watermilfoil Distribution
Links:
USDA
Plants Database information on Eurasian watermilfoil
GRIN
Database information on Eurasian watermilfoil
Oregon Department
of Agriculture information on Eurasian
watermilfoil
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