Parrots Feather

(Myriophyllum aquaticum)

Parrot’s feather was first brought to the UK around 1878 as a useful oxygenator for ponds and water gardens. It has since spread into the wild largely through the thoughtless (and now illegal) dumping of domestic garden and aquarium plants.

Parrot’s feather is well-named; its blue-green feathery fronds are distinctive and recognisable throughout the year growing in still or slow-moving flowing water. Though most garden centres are aware of the threat thanks to the Defra Be Plant Wise campaign, Parrot’s feather can however still be found, sold under pseudonyms. Like several of the plants covered by our project, it spreads in the UK by fragmentation rather than seed and can quickly fill a waterbody, overtaking our native aquatic plants and blocking streams, ditches and drains.

Further Reading

Parrot’s Feather Identification Guide

Parrot’s Feather control guide

Photo Credit GBNNSS