Image: Wikimedia Commons (See link for license)
Water Milfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
γγ΅γ’
A submerged aquatic plant growing in ponds and rivers. Finely pinnately dissected leaves spread beautifully in the water. Flower spikes emerge above the water surface for wind pollination. Well-known as an aquarium plant.
Identification Points
- βLeaves are in whorls of 4, finely pinnately dissected (5β12 pairs of segments)
- βStems remain submerged; only the inflorescence emerges above the water
- βFlowers are small and reddish, borne in spicate inflorescences
Habitat
Ponds, rivers, and shallow areas of lakes
Season
JuneβSeptember (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf dissection
Dissected
Habitat
Aquatic
Venation
Pinnate
Petal count
4 petals
Stipules
Absent
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Inferior
Stamen count
3-4
Phylogenetic Positionγ’γͺγγγ¦γ°γ΅η§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Saxifragales > Haloragaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene
Evolution Notes
Haloragaceae shows remarkable secondary adaptation to aquatic life, with some species performing epihydrophily (surface water pollination), where pollen floats on the water surface for pollination.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification