Myriophyllum ussuriense

Myriophyllum ussuriense was originally distributed in East Asia. However, it has been introduced to the western part of North America (British Columbia, Washington, Oregon). The species name refers to Ussuri river in Manchuria. This milfoil resembles Myriophyllum verticillatum, which is - amongst others - native to Germany, however, it has only 4 leaves per whorl instead of 5. In nature, it grows in rivers and lakes, where it develops partially submersed, partially emersed flowering shoots.

Ussuri milfoil was imported into Europe over 100 years ago, however, it disappeared from cultivation later on, and was re-introduced to Germany in 1992 under the name Myriophyllum sp. "Japan" by Dennerle company. With the help of its rare flowering shoots, Christel Kasselmann was able to identify this plant as M. ussuriense.
Even though this milfoil is an undemanding and very decorative aquarium plant it is hardly ever found in trade, as it is not very well-suited for emersed propagation as practised by today's aquatic plant nurseries.

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