It is native to Europe and Asia,has been introduced to North America and inhabits aquatic habitat, such as ponds and streams.

M. alterniflorum leaves are found both submerged and above water, with leaf location influencing their physical characteristics.

[3] Leaves are commonly located at eight nodes along each stem, are typically red and green, and rarely brown.

[5] In New England, it is most commonly found in Maine, especially in habitats with slow moving bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes.

The initial case of water milfoil invasion took place in the 1940’s, where the plant was thought to have been transported to the United States from Europe.

It is assumed that the mode of transportation was through a ballast ship, making this plant abundant in high motorboat use bodies of water.

[7] The antioxidant enzyme activity test helps in the aid in identifying metal contamination in aquatic habitats.

[6] Specifically in North America, where the plants of this genera, foremost the Eurasian Watermilfoil M. spicatum, are considered invasive.

The native plants are at risk due to the milfoil threatening ecological balance of invaded lakes and ponds.