Myriophyllum ussuriense (Regel) Maxim.
Ussurian water-milfoil (Russian water-milfoil)
Haloragaceae (Water Milfoil family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Frank Lomer     (Photo ID #27801)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Myriophyllum ussuriense
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Introduction

According to Ceska and Ceska (2010), this is an "Amphiberingian species, Far East of Asia and British Columbia, Washington and Oregon. Dioecious, population clonal, usually of one sex (female populations prevailing) some populations rarely with hermaphroditic individuals. Terrestrial or semiterrestrial at the margins of lakes and rivers with fluctuating water table, truly aquatic plants rare. Habit is unlike of any other our milfoil. Winter buds inconspicuous, filiform."

Species Information

General:
Perennial aquatic or semiterrestrial from a rhizome, stems up to 25 cm tall.
Leaves:
Emergent leaves opposite or in whorls of 3, 1-8 mm long, linear or lanceolate in outline, entire or pinnate with 1-3 pairs of segments; submersed leaves in whorls of 3, pinnate, broadly egg-shaped in outline, with 2-4 (7) alternate segments on each side; winter buds 3-7 mm long, threadlike, formed in the leaf axils.
Flowers:
Male and female flowers developed on separate plants (plants dioecious) in the axils of the floral bracts; floral bracts similar to the leaves, usually entire, or with a few stubby segments on each side; male flowers with soon deciduous white petals about 3 mm long; stamens 8, deciduous; female flowers inconspicuous, greenish, with four feather-like stigmas.
Fruits:
Were not observed in BC.
Notes:
Most populations of this species in British Columbia have only female plants; male populations are known from the lower Fraser River valley.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Habitat and Range

Lake margins and muddy river banks in the lowland zone; rare on Vancouver Island, lower Fraser River valley and SE BC; amphiberingian, in North America known only from BC, WA and OR; China, Primor'ye, Kamchatka, Japan.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

References

Ceska, Oldriska and Adolf Ceska. 2010. Genus Myriophyllum (Haloragaceae) in the Pacific Northwest. Botanical Electronic News #428. Available online.