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Parrotfeather Milfoil

Myriophyllum aquaticum

Other Common Names

None for this invasive

Plant Category

Aquatic, Perennial

Invasive Description

Native to Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, Parrotfeather Milfoil was introduced to the U.S. around 1890 for aquaria and aquatic gardens. It is a perennial aquatic herb with stout stems. Its stems and submerged leaves may be reddish tinted. Leaves are finely divided, pale whitish green in color with smooth leaf margins in whorls of mostly five. Flowers are in the axils of emerged leaves; fruits are up to 1/8 inch long. The plant is still commonly sold for aquaria and aquatic gardens.

Ecological Threat

Parrotfeather Milfoil forms dense mats and outcompetes native aquatics, especially in shallow ponds. It provides habitat for mosquito larvae, impedes boats and clogs drainage ditches. It spreads vegetatively from whole plants or fragments and can also be spread by people dumping aquaria into waterways and by animals carrying fruits and fragments on their bodies.

You may not want or need to replace this invasive plant, but if you do, options are listed below.

How to Eradicate

For information on how to eradicate this invasive, view our statement on herbicide use and preferred alternatives for invasive plants.

Native Alternatives

You can replace this invasive plant with native alternatives. Here are some plants that make superior replacements.

Match your location on the Texas map to the color squares on the replacement plants below to find suitable replacements for your ecoregion.

Click for more details about the ecoregions
Additional Replacement Options: Banana lily (Nymphoides aquatica), American White Water Lily (Nymphoides odorata)