Myriophyllum spicatum Linn., Sp.Pl. 992. 1753. Boiss., l.c.755; C.B.Clarke, l.c.433; Blatter, Beaut.Flow.Kashm. 2:188. 1929 ; Gorshkova, l.c.667; Kitamura, Fl.Afghan.281.1960; Rech.f., l.c. ; Cook, l.c.312 ; Chamberlain, l.c.198 ; Stewart, l.c.508.
Submerged perennial. Stems thick, 30-150 cm long, branched, glabrous, rhizome rooting. Leaves 10-25 mm long, pectinate, with 20-26 segments. Spikes terminal, 50-70 mm long, with flowers in whorls of 4 in the axils of bracts; the upper flowers male, the lower female. Bracts 1.5-3 mm long, the upper obovate, entire; the lower: pinnatifid or with a deeply cleft margin. Male flower : sepals 0.5-1 mm long, triangular, obtuse; petals 2 mm long, oblong, cucullate, reddish. Stamens 8, filaments short; anthers 1-1.5 mm long. Female flower: calyx c. 1.5 mm long; petals minute. Ovary c. 1.5 mm long, subglobose; styles short, stigmas plumose. Fruit 2 mm long, subglobose.
Fl. Per. May-July.
Type: Described from Europe, Hb.Linn.1123/1 (LINN).
Distribution: Found throughout Europe, Asia, N. & S. America, N. & S. Africa.
Found in fresh water lakes, rivers and canals in the Baluchistan, Baltistan and Kashmir areas from 1000-2500 m.
