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Eurasian Water-milfoil

Myriophyllum spicatum

Found in ponds and impoundments. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

-55
Severe harm

Not native to Mississippi. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 71%

Height
1–9 feet
Light
Dappled sunlight, Deep shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Wet to standing water

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Mississippi.

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Bloom
April to October

Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 3 Mississippi counties.

Natural habitats

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

Ponds, lakes and their shores

Still water and its edges: ponds, lakes, millponds and reservoirs.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

6CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including MS

Genus host records with ranges including MS · 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)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
7BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Myriophyllum

  • Anas platyrhynchosMallard
  • Aythya affinisLesser Scaup
  • Aythya collarisRing-necked Duck
  • Cygnus olorMute Swan
  • Fulica americanaAmerican Coot
  • Mareca americanaAmerican Wigeon
  • Mareca streperaGadwall
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Haloragaceae
Hardiness
Zones 3a–10b
Flower color
Yellow, pink or red

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

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Eurasian Water milfoil; Eurasian Watermilfoil

Conservation status

Mississippi rankSNA
Global rankGNR
MS statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources