Pest Photo

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Eurasian watermilfoil

Myriophyllum spicatum

Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) is an invasive plant of fresh water. It is a native of Europe, Asia and North Africa and was first detected in North America in the 1900's.

This submerged aquatic plant was once sold as a plant for aquariums. In lakes or other aquatic areas where native aquatic plants are not well established, the Eurasian plant can quickly spread. It has been known to crowd out native plants and create dense mats that interfere with recreational activity. Eurasian watermilfoil can grow from broken off stems which increases the rate in which the plant can spread and grow.

For more information about this plant pest, see the CABI data sheet.