Other biological controls of milfoil are under intensive investigation. Parrotfeather has both emergent and submersed leaves. The submersed leaves are finely-dissected, and feathery, often with a reddish color. The emergent stems can be from a few inches to over a foot high and are the most distinctive feature of parrotfeather. Emergent leaves form in whorls on the stem.
Leaves are bright green and finely divided.
In spring, very small, white, tuft-like flowers form where the emergent leaves attach to the stem. Parrotfeather grows best when rooted in shallow water. In nutrient-enriched lakes parrotfeather can grow as a floating plant in deep water. The emergent stems can survive on wet banks of rivers and lake shores, so it is well adapted to moderate water level fluctuations. Parrotfeather invasion of lakes and streams severely changes the physical and chemical characteristics of the aquatic ecosystem.