Herb: Water Milfoil


Latin name: Myriophyllum spicatum


Family: Haloragidaceae



Medicinal use of Water Milfoil:

The plant is demulcent and febrifuge.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Flowering:
June
to July

Habitat of the herb:

Lakes, ponds, ditches etc, to 450 metres. Locally common, especially in calcareous waters.

Edible parts of Water Milfoil:

Root - raw or cooked. Sweet and crunchy, the roots were a much relished food for several native North American Indian tribes.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - we have no information for this species but the seed is quite probably of limited germination, especially if it becomes dry, and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame if this is possible. Otherwise store the seed in a cool place in a jar of water and sow in the spring. Keep the pots in trays of water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the spring. Cuttings can be inserted directly into the soil of the pond at any time in the growing season. Division.

Cultivation of Water Milfoil:

Lakes, ponds, ditches etc, to 450 metres. Locally common, especially in calcareous waters.

Known hazards of Myriophyllum spicatum:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.