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Parrot feather Facts

Parrot feather Facts
Parrot feather is aquatic plant that belongs to the watermilfoil family. It originates from South America, but it can be found in tropical and temperate regions around the world today. Parrot feather grows in the slow-flowing rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and ditches. It prefers shallow, nutrient-rich waters in areas with tropical climate. Parrot feather was frequently cultivated in ornamental purposes in aquatic gardens and aquariums in the past, before people became aware of the invasive nature of this plant. Parrot feather is classified as noxious weed in all countries outside its native range.
Interesting Parrot feather Facts:
Parrot feather has long, brown, intertwined stem that can reach 5 feet in height. It forms dense mats on the surface of the water.
Stem and leaves of parrot feather look like miniature, aquatic version of fir tree.
Parrot feather produces grayish-green or bluish-green stiff leaves that grow both below and above the surface of the water. They are composed of thread-like segments and shaped like feathers, hence the name "parrot feather". 4 to 6 leaves are arranged in whorls around the stem. Submerged leaves are often reddish colored and fragile.
Parrot feather produces miniature, white flowers at the base of the leaves (above the surface of the water). Male and female flowers develop on the separate plants (dioecious species).
Parrot feather blooms from May to August. Male plants are extremely rare in the wild and cannot be found outside the native habitats of this plant. Without pollen, female plants cannot produce seed. That's why parrot feather reproduces asexually. In the case of successful pollination, female plants produce dry fruit called schizocarp.
Parrot feather propagates via division of the stem and rhizome.
All parts of parrot feather (except rhizome) die off before winter. After period of dormancy, rhizome starts to produce new shoots at the beginning of the spring.
Scientific name of parrot feather is Myriophyllum ("innumerable leaf" in Greek). Name refers to thread-like morphology of leaves.
Parrot feather grows rapidly and easily occupies shallow waters. Dense mats of parrot feather disrupt migration of salmons, induce flooding and prevent water sports and regular boat traffic.
Dense mats of parrot feather reduce amount of light in the water and prevent photosynthetic activity of submerged plants.
Mosquitoes and flea beetles lay eggs in dense mats of parrot feather.
Leaves and stem of parrot feather are covered with layer of wax which prevents absorption of herbicides.
Grass carp is used as biological "weapon" against many invasive aquatic plants. Unfortunately, it avoids parrot feather because of the high content of tannins in this plant and its woody stem.
Selling and cultivation of parrot feather is prohibited in many countries because of the invasive nature of this plant.
Parrot feather is perennial plant (lifespan: more than 2 years).


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