- Submerged or above surface
- Lush blue-green feathery leaves on upright stems
- Form dense, miniature ‘forests’
- Dies back over winter though submerged form still present
Parrot’s Feather, also known as Brazilian Watermilfoil, is a distinctive perennial aquatic plant with a feather-like structure. Although mainly distributed in the South of England, it is now appearing in Yorkshire where it can outcompete native aquatic plants.
Brought to the UK in the 1870s as an aquatic plant, Parrot's Feather was used for aerating garden ponds. After being discarded, it found its way into the wild. In the last few decades, it has spread rapidly and is now found across much of the southern half of the UK.
Parrot's Feather is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act in England and Wales: it is also an offence to plant or otherwise cause to grow these species in the wild. From April 2014, it will be banned from sale.
Parrot’s Feather is an emergent plant. During the growing season it can be seen above the surface of the water as well as below it.
It can grow several feet up out of the water. Out of the water, leaves are bright green and stiff, whilst under water they appear softer. Under water, brown roots are present at the nodes. In winter, it dies back and is only found in the submerged form.
The feather like leaves are blue-green in colour, and arranged along the stem in whorls of 4-6. With a green stem that becomes gray near the base.
From May to August, tiny flowers form at the base of the leaves, however they are very small and difficult to see.
The plant grows in still water such as ponds, lakes, canals and reservoirs though is occasionally found in slowly moving water normally in eutrophic (nutrient rich) water.
As with other invasive aquatics, the dense vegetation shades out other plant species, leading to oxygen depletion and a decline in native wildlife.
It may cause flooding by blocking waterways. There may be an impact on recreation and the aesthetic value of the waterway.