Siberian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 13: 168 (1914))

Family: Haloragaceae

Author: Kom.

Bibliography: Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 13: 168 (1914)

Year: 1914

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Myriophyllum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

Siberian water-milfoil, known scientifically as Myriophyllum sibiricum, is an intriguing aquatic plant native to the subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This hardy species belongs to the Haloragaceae family, a group of flowering plants commonly found in aquatic environments.

This plant was formally described in scientific literature in 1914, within the pages of “Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis,” a notable work in the field of botany. The authority on its classification, Komarov, provided a comprehensive description that has served as the foundation for understanding this species.

Adapted to thrive in cooler climates, the Siberian water-milfoil can be found in a variety of freshwater bodies such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. It plays a crucial role in these ecosystems by providing habitat and food for aquatic wildlife. Furthermore, its dense growth can help stabilize sediment and improve water clarity.

This plant’s unique morphology includes finely divided, feathery leaves arranged in whorls around a central stem. This design efficiently maximizes its surface area for photosynthesis, an adaptation that helps it thrive even in low light conditions underwater.

Siberian water-milfoil’s ability to adapt and flourish in various freshwater environments highlights its ecological importance. Its presence is a testament to the intricate balance of ecosystems in the Northern Hemisphere, contributing to biodiversity and the functioning of aquatic habitats.

Common Names

Eng: american watermilfoil, shortspike watermilfoil, siberian water-milfoil, american water-milfoil, common water-milfoil, northern spiked water-milfoil, northern water-milfoil, pale water-milfoil, short-spiked water-milfoil, spiked water-milfoil, whitish water-milfoil
Sme: gokšessuovvi
Swe: knoppslinga, kotteslinga
Fra: myriophylle de sibérie, myriophylle blanchissant
En: Siberian water-milfoil, Shortspike watermilfoil, AMERICAN MILFOIL, American watermilfoil, American water-milfoil, Common water-milfoil, Northern spiked water-milfoil, Northern water-milfoil, Pale water-milfoil, Short-spiked water-milfoil, Spiked water-milfoil, Whitish water-milfoil
Zh: 西伯利亚狐尾藻
Fi: Kalvasärviä
Fr: Myriophylle de Sibérie, Myriophylle blanchissant
Se: Gokšessuovvi
No: Kamtusenblad
Ru: Уруть сибирская
Sv: Knoppslinga, Kotteslinga

Synonyms

• Myriophyllum exalbescens var. magdalenense ((Fernald) Á.Löve)
• Myriophyllum spicatum var. muricatum (Maxim.)
• Myriophyllum exalbescens (Fernald)
• Myriophyllum spicatum var. capillaceum (Lange)
• Myriophyllum spicatum var. exalbescens ((Fernald) Jeps.)
• Myriophyllum magdalenense (Fernald)
• Myriophyllum spicatum subsp. exalbescens ((Fernald) Hultén)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Arizona (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Texas (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Mar 14, 2022 by ( ˘-˘)っ♨ Эвелина (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2022 by ( ˘-˘)っ♨ Эвелина (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.

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5361764)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:430459-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Myriophyllum sibiricum Kom.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth