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Loose Water-milfoil

Myriophyllum laxum

Found in limesink depression ponds (dolines), spring-runs, rarely also in lakes. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Florida edition What its natural habitat tells you

36
Good

Native to Florida. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Wet to standing water
Will it fit your yard?

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Bloom
June to October

Not yet recorded · Height · Spread · Leaves

Height: NC species account not read yet.

Spread and leaves: no source found yet.

This plant is missing most of its facts, so Quercus is looking them up in old botany books.

Recorded in 25 Florida counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Ponds, lakes and their shores

Florida Sunrisetitle QS:P1476,en:"Florida Sunrise"label QS:Len,"Florida Sunrise"
Martin Johnson Heade, Florida Sunrise: still water and a palm-fringed shore glowing at dawn. Regional view: the painting does not name the exact site. Florida (Heade, Florida Sunrise, c. 1890-1900)Florida Sunrisetitle QS:P1476,en:"Florida Sunrise"label QS:Len,"Florida Sunrise", Martin Johnson Heade, c. 1890-1900. Public domain. Source record. scaled to 1280 x 664 by the Wikimedia thumbnailer from 7517 x 3901; no crop or other change

Depression ponds and limesinks

Shallow ponds in Coastal Plain depressions, such as limesinks and the ponds in some Carolina bays, that rise and fall with the seasons.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in Florida. Shared habitat, not food. 119 animals.

Widespread birds also seen here (61)

Found in many habitats here, so not listed above.

All wildlife of Florida

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

6CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including FL

Genus host records with ranges including FL · Myriophyllum

  • Argyrotaenia ivanaIvana Leafroller Moth
  • Choristoneura parallelaParallel-Banded Leafroller, Spotted Fireworm Moth
  • Elophila obliteralisWaterlily Leafcutter Moth
  • Parapoynx allionealisWatermilfoil Leafcutter, Bladderwort Casemaker
  • Parapoynx badiusalisChestnut-Marked Pondweed Moth
  • Spodoptera latifasciaOrange-Striped Armyworm, Velvet Armyworm Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
6BirdsRecorded eating Myriophyllum in Florida

Diet records by plant genus, from studies across North America. Not a record from this state. Birds whose range includes Florida, most records first.

Avian Diet Database (Hurlbert Lab)

Direct food only. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Birds that eat Myriophyllum 6

Diet records by plant genus, from studies across North America. Not a record from this state. Avian Diet Database (Hurlbert Lab), CC0 1.0.

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Haloragaceae
Flower color
Pink

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Loose Water milfoil

Conservation status

Florida rankS3
Global rankG3
FL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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Sources