Haloragaceae

Watermilfoil Family

Watermilfoils

FAMILY: Watermilfoil family (Haloragaceae) – Myriophyllum genus.

SPECIES: Although the source cited clearly states that Eurasian or spike watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) is edible, the actual species utilized as food may have been Siberian, American, common, or northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum Kom.). 

TO UTILIZE AS FOOD: Eurasian watermilfoil is reported to have edible rhizomes that were relished by the Tanana Indians of Alaska. However, this species is native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa and wasn’t introduced to North America until the 1940s in the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland and Virginia, so the Tanana Indians were probably gathering the native northern watermilfoil (M. sibiricum), which is not reported to be edible. Before the introduction of Eurasian watermilfoil, northern watermilfoil was called M. spicatum. Both species had the same name. These species were also considered varieties of the same species at various points in history, so it’s highly likely they can be used in the same way. The Tanana Indians ate the rhizomes raw, roasted, or fried in grease. These rhizomes were credited with saving people from starvation when supplies of other foods were depleted. “Both” species mentioned above are common in lakes, rivers, natural springs, and other aquatic habitats throughout most of the northern hemisphere, including the southwestern United States. The plants sampled for this reference were northern watermilfoil rather than Eurasian watermilfoil.

The rhizomes, stem bases, and true roots of northern watermilfoil (M. sibiricum) are weak, tender, delicate, and mild-tasting. Please note they are not reported to be edible. The rhizomes and stem bases are mainly hollow chambers. Plant material is minimal. Actual roots are various shades of white with black skins that shed naturally and form deep muck in ponds. Northern watermilfoil roots have a texture very similar to alfalfa sprouts. Based on flavor, they make an excellent wild food. Washing can be done right on site (in the lake). The black skins tend to flake off in the process, which is actually beneficial to the flavor. All parts require cooking to kill any waterborne parasites. Simmering yields a terrific broth that’s free of acrid, bitter, resinous, and other unappealing flavors. Carbohydrate value is apparent among the pond-like and seaweed-like overtones. Further investigation of this aquatic plant is definitely warranted.

NOTES: All my impressions of northern watermilfoil were encouraging. It seems to be an excellent plant. It didn’t have much substance, but the flavor, texture, and aroma were appealing. The true roots had more “meat” than the rhizomes or stem bases. In order to be useful, wild foods need to be safe, abundant, easy to harvest, and easy to process. Northern watermilfoil is certainly abundant, even in the Southwest, but whether or not it’s safe is uncertain. Only Eurasian watermilfoil is reported to be edible.

IDENTIFICATION: The Myriophyllum genus is represented by about 10-15 species in the United States, of which 4 occur in the Southwest. Watermilfoils are easy to recognize as a group thanks to their distinctive whorls of comb-like leaves.

Description of northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum): FORM aquatic plant; mostly submerged; rhizomatous; turioniferous; LEAVES simple, but appearing compound; whorled; submerged blades comb-like, deeply pinnately divided into 5-11 pairs of thread-like segments; emergent blades tiny, about 3 mm long, entire, or finely serrated; FLOWERS regular, unisexual, subtended by bracts, and arranged in terminal spikes with the female flowers positioned below the male flowers; FEMALE flowers ovary inferior; sepals 4; petals 0; stigmas pink and feathery; MALE flowers with 4 sepals, 4 petals, and 4-8 stamens; FRUITS nut-like, each with 4 segments; HABITAT ponds, marshes, shallow lakes, natural springs, slow-moving rivers and other wetlands; blooming June to August.

Description of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum): FORM aquatic plant; mostly submerged; often branching; rhizomatous; not producing turions; LEAVES simple, but appearing compound; whorled; submerged blades comb-like, deeply pinnately divided into 12-20 pairs of thread-like segments; emergent blades tiny, about 3 mm long, entire, or finely serrated; FLOWERS regular, unisexual, subtended by bracts, and arranged in terminal spikes with the female flowers positioned below the male flowers; FEMALE flowers ovary inferior; sepals 4; petals 0; stigmas white or pink, and feathery; MALE flowers with 4 sepals, 4 petals, and 4-8 stamens; FRUITS nut-like, each with 4 segments; HABITAT ponds, marshes, shallow lakes, natural springs, slow-moving rivers and other wetlands; blooming May to July.

REFERENCES: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum): rhizomes Moerman (p. 159).