|Lake Ecology & Preservation|
name: Myriophyllum spicatum L.
Common name(s): Eurasian Water Milfoil
Eurasian water Milfoil is an "exotic" aquatic plant. Exotic means that it isn't native to the Adirondacks-- it is native to Europe, Asia and Northern Africa. Aquatic means that it lives in the water. Eurasian Water Milfoil was brought to North America in the 1940s. Eurasian Water Milfoil likes to live in lakes, ponds, shallow water reservoirs and slow moving rivers and streams. It reproduces very fast and in many different ways. If a stem breaks off, it can start a new plant. It also produces flowers and seeds that appear above the water, while the rest of the plant is under water, and it spreads by roots or runners (stolons) in the ground. It is also very tolerant of cold water, so it can grow fast in cold Adirondack lakes in early spring.
Eurasian Water Milfoil grows and spreads really fast. So fast, that it can choke out native plants and reduce the amount of light that reaches into the lake. This aggressive growth kills off other native aquatic plants. And when the native plants can't grow, other aquatic species that rely on the native plants for food and shelter have trouble surviving. Eurasian Water Milfoil's dense growth makes it difficult for invertebrates and other organisms that fish eat to survive.So, with less to eat and less open water, fish populations also decrease.
you ever tried to swim in weeds?
Does It Look Like?
To prevent introducing Eurasian Water Milfoil into lakes, be sure to do the following:
For more information on Milfoil and other invasive plants please visit http://www.adkinvasives.com
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