Milfoil Invaders -- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Not all Milfoils are created equal.   Milfoil is the name for a large group of related aquatic plants; some are invasive.  Invasive Aquatic Plants take possession of a lake, injure native plant communities, interfere with recreational uses, and can depress property values.

1. The Good--Native Milfoils that are generally not invasive and contribute to a healthy Maine lake environment. Maine hopes to protect these species by keeping aggressive invasives out. Example: Slender Watermilfoil, Myriophyllum tenellum Bigelow

2. The Bad--Eurasian Milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum, a troublemaker wherever it is found, highly aggressive, it out competes natives and clogs all the shallow areas of a lake, making swimming and boating difficult. Native to Europe/Asian, since the 1950's it has spread throughout 45 states, and luckily missed Maine. Maine hopes to keep this invader to an 'outta stater' status.

3. The Ugly--Variable Watermilfoil, Myriophyllum heterophyllum, a problem species and the only invasive milfoil currently in Maine, it is a North American native. It had a very limited distribution in Maine but has recently spread to 7 known water bodies (link to table).  It causes problems similar to Eurasian, and Maine hopes to keep this plant from spreading and altering the character of unaffected lakes.