Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Liliopsida - Order: Saxifragales - Family: Haloragaceae
There are several species of water milfoil in the rivers and streams of Britain, but Spiked Water-milfoil is a native species while many others have been introduced. Like Ranunculus, the milfoils are rooted plants and can thrive in fast flowing water; they are not normally found in ponds, lakes or canals. The two most common species to be found in the UK and Ireland are Alternate Water-milfoil, Myrophyllum alterniflorum, and Spiked Water-milfoil, Myrophyllum spicatum.
The Spiked Water-milfoil shown here was photographed in Denmark.