Myriophyllum L.

Water Milfoil

Water Milfoil

36 species in Aust. (31 endemic, 5 naturalized); all states and territoriesMonoecious or dioecious, glabrous, aquatic herbs or growing on mud or wet ground. Leaves alternate opposite or whorled; the submerged leaves usually finely pinnatisect. Flowers small, in the axils of the upper leaves; the upper ones usually male and the lower female. Male flowers with 4 calyx lobes and petals; stamens 2–8. Female flowers with minute or obsolete calyx; petals absent; ovary 2–4-locular; styles 2–4, short, stigmatic from the base, often plumose. Fruit a schizocarp, separating into 2–4 mericarps.