Shortspike Watermilfoil
Myriophyllum sibiricum
- Native to:
- Canada, China, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Kirgizstan, Kuril Is., Labrador, North Caucasus, Norway, Prince Edward I., Russia, Sweden, United States
Dean Wm. Taylor (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Haloragaceae
- Genus:
- Myriophyllum
- Species:
- Myriophyllum sibiricum
- USDA Symbol:
- MYSI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Aquatic
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
chocolate china-mark moth (Parapoynx badiusalis), watermilfoil leafcutter moth (Parapoynx allionealis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, fish, aquatic invertebrates
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- nutrient-rich, silty or clayey soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in freshwater habitats like ponds and slow-moving streams
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best when submerged in shallow water with cool temperatures. Often propagated vegetatively from stem fragments.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI