Eurasian Watermilfoil

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Impact

  • Tangled stems of vegetation interfere with recreational activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing.
  • Dense canopies shade out other native plants.

Description & Origin

  • Eurasian watermilfoil has thin stems approximately 3 to 10 feet long which can appear green, brown, or pinkish white. There are typically four feather-like leaves encircling the stem from the same node with 12 or more leaflet pairs on each leaf.
  • This aquatic plant is native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. Northern watermilfoil, which usually has 5 to 10 leaflet pairs on each leaf, is a native species which looks similar to Eurasian watermilfoil
Milfoil ID Card

Means of spread

Full strands can become entangled in boat propellers, sailboat rudders, or snagged in the rivets on boat keels. Fragments can stick onto the sides of watercraft or trailers. Be sure to Clean, Drain, Dispose, and Dry!

For more information, visit:
Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC)
U.S. Geological Survey