Parrot feather is an invasive water plant that can cover the entire surface of a pond. This plant is native to South America, Australia and New Zealand in the more tropical areas. In the USA it is found in coastal and southern states invading shallow lakes, ponds, ditches and backwaters in rivers forming dense mats. The monocultures disrupt the growth of native aquatic plants and provide breeding areas for mosquitoes as well as impeding water sports. The delicate, feathery bright-green to blue-green leaves grow in a whorl around the stem both in and out of the water. The vines can grow up to 6 feet long and will become erect and leafy at the ends and can root in the soil on the banks of ponds. Only female plants are known to grow in the US so the tiny flowers do not produce fruits. Spread in vegetatively. It is sometimes used in aquariums as an oxygenator. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council and in other states. See native alternatives to the left.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.