Eurasian water milfoil

• It is a submersed aquatic plant.
• Emergent flower heads are orange to red.
• Leaves are dissected, 'feathery', in whorls of 4, and contain 12–21 leaflets.
• Long stems form surface-reaching mats.
• Plants form turions (dormant, detached buds) for overwintering.
• Rhizomes root to 10m depth, can grow 3–5m to surface.

3D model

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• Prefers slow-flowing and standing water bodies.
• Can grow in fresh and saline water.
• Grows well in nutrient-rich water.

• Not known to occur in Queensland.

• Begins growth in spring with increasing water temperature. Achieves maximum growth in water temperatures above 18°C.
• Flowers in summer once stems reach water surface. Is pollinated by wind and insects.
• Plants fragment after flowering and die back to rhizomes towards winter. Rhizomes resprout in spring.

Environmental

• Grows quickly in calm water bodies such as reservoirs and dams, eventually blocking waterways.
• Displaces native aquatic plants and reduces biodiversity.
• Can affect water quality when infestations are dense.
• Creates favourable mosquito habitat.

Social

• Impedes recreational activities such as waterskiing and fishing.
• Interferes with infrastructure such as irrigation.
• Poses danger for swimmers, who can become entangled.

• The plant propagates through seeds and stem fragments.
• Seeds can be spread by waterbirds.
• Fragments are spread by water currents and humans—this is the main way the plant spreads.

• Find out how farmers can prevent weed spread.
• Find out how gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts can prevent weed spread.

• Before undertaking any preventative or control actions, contact us online, by phone or in person.

Herbicide control

• Controlled with herbicides overseas (2,4D, Diquat, endothall, copper, fluridone).

Biological control

• No known biological control agents.

• Eurasian water milfoil is a prohibited invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

• You must not:
  • keep it
  • move it
  • give it away
  • sell it
  • release it into the environment.

If you do any of these, penalties may apply.

• You must not take any action that is reasonably likely to exacerbate the biosecurity threat posed by Eurasian water milfoil.
• You must take any action that is reasonably likely to minimise the biosecurity threat posed by Eurasian water milfoil.
• You must report any sightings immediately using 1 of these methods:
  • Report online.
  • Phone Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
  • Phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.