Myriophyllum sibiricum
Siberian water-milfoil, Siberian Water-Milfoil
(c) memer7687, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Haloragaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Myriophyllum sibiricum (Siberian water-milfoil) is a native California herb in the Haloragaceae family, recognized by winter buds and dried stem color.
Siberian water-milfoil is a native perennial found in coastal, north coastal, northern Sierra, northern Sierra Nevada, San Francisco Bay, southern coastal, southern California, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Peninsular Ranges, Modoc Plateau, and western Mojave Desert regions in ponds, streams, and lakes at elevations below 2,600 meters. Flowering from June to September, this aquatic plant produces tiny white to pink flowers in emergent spikes 3 to 8 centimeters long. Growing with stems over one meter tall that turn white or pink when dry, it forms dense underwater mats with intricate leaf structures. Its submersed leaves are highly dissected, with 28 or fewer linear segments per leaf that vary in angle and spacing throughout the plant's structure. In autumn, the plant produces distinctive cylindrical winter buds at the ends of non-flowering branches, allowing it to survive seasonal changes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; winter buds and dried stem color are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ponds, streams, lakes
Elevation: < 2600 m
California counties: San Mateo, San Bernardino, San Diego, Modoc, Siskiyou, Madera, Del Norte, Humboldt, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Lassen, Shasta, Mendocino, Mono, Inyo, Plumas, Los Angeles, Marin, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Contra Costa, Sonoma, Placer, Alpine, Sierra, Nevada, Tehama, El Dorado, Alameda, Yolo, Imperial, Napa, Butte, Tuolumne
Outside California: to Alaska, Canada, eastern United States, Eurasia
Bloom period
Myriophyllum sibiricum blooms Jun-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Hippuris: Myriophyllum has feathery divided leaves; Hippuris has simple, undivided linear leaves in whorls.; vs Elodea: Myriophyllum has leaves pinnately divided into thread-like segments; Elodea has simple oval leaves.; vs Ceratophyllum: Myriophyllum leaves fork from a central spine; Ceratophyllum leaves fork repeatedly without central axis.; vs Ranunculus: Myriophyllum has whorled feathery leaves; aquatic Ranunculus has alternate or basal divided leaves.; vs Potamogeton: Myriophyllum has feathery divided leaves; Potamogeton has simple, entire leaves (blade-like or oval).
Frequently asked questions
Is Myriophyllum sibiricum native to California?
Yes. Myriophyllum sibiricum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Myriophyllum sibiricum bloom?
Myriophyllum sibiricum blooms Jun-Sep.
Where in California does Myriophyllum sibiricum grow?
Myriophyllum sibiricum occurs in San Mateo, San Bernardino, San Diego, Modoc, Siskiyou, Madera, Del Norte, Humboldt and other counties, at elevations of < 2600 m.
What plant family does Myriophyllum sibiricum belong to?
Myriophyllum sibiricum is in the Haloragaceae family, genus Myriophyllum.
What habitat does Myriophyllum sibiricum grow in?
Myriophyllum sibiricum grows in Ponds, streams, lakes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Myriophyllum sp. — Water-milfoil
- Myriophyllum spicatum — Eurasian water-milfoil
- Myriophyllum verticillatum — Whorled water-milfoil
- Myriophyllum aquaticum — Parrot's feather
- Myriophyllum hippuroides — Western water-milfoil
- Myriophyllum quitense — Andean water-milfoil
- Haloragaceae sp. — Water-milfoil family
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.