What is Milfoil?
Watermilfoils are rooted, submerged aquatic plants found naturally in lakes and streams.
Watermilfoils are rooted, submerged aquatic plants found naturally in lakes and streams.
Two non-native watermilfoils threaten the quality of Maine fresh waters; Variable-leaf Milfoil (myriophyllum heterophyllum) is already present in 27 Maine lakes systems and streams. Eurasian Watermilfoil (myriophyllum spicatum), the more aggressive colonizer of the two, has been found in several Maine water bodies.
Variable-leaf Milfoil is an aggressive, invasive aquatic plant that forms dense, underwater mats, harming native plants and creating low-oxygen conditions that kill fish and other aquatic life. Its highly competitive and rapid growth allows it to dominate a variety of aquatic environments, which has far-reaching effects on the entire ecosystem. It is identified by its reddish stems and whorls of feather-like leaves with numerous leaflets and is easily spread by fragments attached to boats and trailers. It is difficult and expensive to control or remove once established.
Variable leaf milfoil was first recognized in Thompson Lake in the 1980’s and was undoubtedly transported here by watercraft. Over 30 years, these relatively few colonies spread throughout the coves and shallow areas of the lake.
