Milfoil

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Milfoil
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About Milfoil

• Milfoil is a fresh water plant that is from
  Eurasia. Eurasia is the continents of Europe and
  Asia and their off shore islands.
• Milfoil was brought to the U.S. in the 1940s and
  50s.

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The Meaning of Milfoils Scientific Name

• Milfoils scientific name is Myriophyllum.
• Milfoil got that name from the Greek words myrio
  meaning innumerable and phyllum meaning leaf.

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How Milfoil came to the U.S.

• There are two theories on how Milfoil came to
  America.
• One theory is that it came from a private or
  commercial boat.
• A second theory is that a resort owner introduced
  it to the Tennessee Valley.

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The Problem with Milfoil

• It clogs up rivers, lakes, and streams.
• Milfoil also kills many plants and animals
  because of its spread out growth which cuts down
  on light below it.

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The Problems with Milfoil

• Milfoil grows so fast that it decreases the
  number of native plants and animals that live in
  the lake.
• Milfoil is tall it can be up to 10 ft. That way
  it can grow in deep lakes and is harder to get
  out of deep lakes.

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The way Milfoil Spreads

• There are several ways for milfoil to spread.
• One way for milfoil to spread is if a branch
  breaks of, then a new plant can be started at a
  nearby lake.

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The way milfoil spreads

• A second way it spreads is by pollination of the
  flowers.
• Another way it spreads is by roots or runners in
  the ground.

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Solutions

• The milwevil which is a bug that eats the
  milfoil.
• Chopping it down which sometimes doesnt work.
  Loose remains can get left so that a new plant
  can get started.
• A third solution is chemical use. This gets
  sprayed on the plants every 1-3 years. The only
  problem with this is that is costs 200-2,000
  per acre.

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Summary

• Milfoil is from Eurasia. Myriophyllum came to the
  U.S. around the 1940s and50s.
• There are two theories on how it came here.
• Milfoil clogs up many lakes, rivers, and streams.
  It kills many native plants and animals.
• Scientists say that milwevil works best to
  control milfoil.

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The End

• Science
• Jan 26, 07