Brazilian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum aquaticum, Kew Bull. 28: 36 (1973))

Family: Haloragaceae

Author: (Vell.) Verdc.

Bibliography: Kew Bull. 28: 36 (1973)

Year: 1973

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Myriophyllum

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & S. Trop. America

Description

The Brazilian water-milfoil, scientifically known as Myriophyllum aquaticum, is an intriguing aquatic plant belonging to the Haloragaceae family. First documented in detail in the Kew Bulletin in 1973, its taxonomic lineage was later defined by the renowned botanist Verdcourt as per the accreditation (Vell.) Verdc. Native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, this plant showcases the diverse and vibrant ecosystems of these regions.

The Brazilian water-milfoil is distinguished by its feather-like leaves that emerge in whorls along the stem, with a vibrant green hue that blankets the surface of the water where it grows. Its ability to thrive in both slow-moving and still waters of tropical environments highlights its adaptability and resilience.

Observers in the tropical Americas have noted that Myriophyllum aquaticum plays a critical role in its habitat, often providing shelter and breeding grounds for a variety of aquatic organisms. It not only enhances biodiversity but also contributes to the stability of its ecosystem. However, its rapid growth and propagation can sometimes lead to it being considered invasive outside its native range, necessitating careful management when introduced to new habitats.

Overall, the Brazilian water-milfoil is a notable example of the intricate interdependence within aquatic ecosystems, demonstrating both the beauty and complexity of plant life in tropical America.

Common Names

Deu: brasilianisches tausendblatt, brasilien-tausendblatt
Eng: brazilian water-milfoil, brazilian watermilfoil, parrot feather watermilfoil, parrot’s feather, parrot’s-feather, parrotfeather, parrot feather, thread-of-life, water-feather, parrot feather water-milfoil
Fra: myriophylle aquatique, myriophylle du brésil
Dan: papegøjefjer
Nld: parelvederkruid
Por: milefólio-aquático, pinheirinha-de-água, pinheirinho-d’água
Swe: storslinga
Afr: waterduisendblaar
Cym: pluen parot
En: Brazilian water-milfoil, Water-feather, Thread-of-life, Parrot’s-feather, Brazilian watermilfoil, Parrot feather watermilfoil, Parrot’s feather, Parrotfeather, Parrot feather, Parrot feather water-milfoil, Parrot’s-feather water-milfoil, Parrot-Feather
Af: Waterduisendblaar
Da: Papegøjefjer
Nl: Parelvederkruid
Fr: Myriophylle aquatique, Myriophylle du brésil
De: Brasilianisches Tausendblatt, Brasilien-Tausendblatt
Pt: Milefólio-aquático, Pinheirinha-de-água, Pinheirinho-d’água
Es: Milenrama acuática
Sv: Storslinga
Cy: Pluen Parot

Synonyms

• Myriophyllum mattogrossense (Hoehne)
• Myriophyllum brasiliense (Cambess.)
• Myriophyllum proserpinacoides (Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.)
• Enydria aquatica (Vell.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile North (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Oct 17, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Gaël GICQUIAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 15, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Pierre LESPINASSE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Jul 22, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Dec 14, 2019 by DA NI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2019 by inactinique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2021 by Jonathan Hobbs (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2013 by EOL − bbi2 (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 16, 2019 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Corentin ZHENG (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 15, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Pierre LESPINASSE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 19, 2021 by malot w (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2020 by Torsten proft (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2019 by Deena McCauley (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2021 by Rachel Walker (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2019 by Pizzato Luigi (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5361785)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:166319-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Soil nutriments: 7