General Impact
ERDC (UNDATED) states that, "M. aquaticum grow in sluggish waters, edges of streams, lakes, ponds, drainage and irrigation ditches, and canals, backwaters, sloughs and lagoons. Populations may be quite dense, sometimes as floating mats that have been uprooted, often choking waterways and impeding navigation." Washington State's Department of Ecology (2003) states that M. aquaticum, "has been introduced worldwide for use in indoor and outdoor aquaria. It is also a popular aquatic garden plant. However, it has escaped cultivation and spread via plant fragments and intentional plantings. While M. aquaticum may provide cover for some aquatic organisms, it can seriously change the physical and chemical characteristics of lakes and streams. Infestations can alter aquatic ecosystems by shading out the algae in the water column that serve as the basis of the aquatic food web. In addition, the plant provides choice mosquito larvae habitat. The plant can also restrict recreational opportunities in these bodies of water.
Location Specific Impacts:Southern Africa (Africa) 
Physical disturbance: Apart from invading rivers, lakes and dams, Myriophyllum aquaticum parrot's feather is also known to invade the shallow parts of most water bodies in southern Africa. It can hinder stream flow, clog water inlets, interfere with fishing and fish culture, navigation and cause drowning of humans and animals. It also provides a breeding place for disease-carrying mosquitoes and snails (Henderson & Cilliers, 2002). Guernsey
Reduction in native biodiversity: Myriophyllum aquaticum is a major problem in ponds and wetlands, where it has eliminated many native species (David, 2003 in Varnham, 2006). United States (USA)
Habitat alteration: While Myriophyllum aquaticum may provide cover for some aquatic organisms, it can seriously change the physical and chemical characteristics of lakes and streams (Washington State's Department of Ecology 2003).
Human nuisance: The plant can also restrict recreational opportunities in these bodies of water (Washington State's Department of Ecology 2003).
Interaction with other invasive species: In addition, the plant provides choice mosquito larvae habitat (Washington State's Department of Ecology 2003).
Modification of nutrient regime: Infestations can alter aquatic ecosystems by shading out the algae in the water column that serve as the basis of the aquatic food web (Washington State's Department of Ecology 2003).
Physical disturbance: ERDC (UNDATED) states that, "Myriophyllum aquaticum populations may be quite dense, sometimes as floating mats that have been uprooted, often choking waterways and impeding navigation." California (United States (USA))
Physical disturbance: In California, the Myriophyllum aquaticum is becoming an increasing problem in irrigation and drainage canals. A 1985 survey of irrigation, mosquito abatement, flood control, and reclamation agencies in California indicated that parrotfeather infested nearly 600 miles of waterways and over 500 surface acres (Washington State's Department of Ecology 2003).
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