VINELAND — Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River & its Tributaries has issued an all points bulletin of sorts for Myriophyllum aquaticum.

That’s the scientific name for the invasive aquatic weed known as parrotfeather whose native range is the Amazon River in South America. “This rogue botanical bully is top of the list for Least Wanted Plant Pest in Cumberland County,” says associate CU director Renee Brecht.

The invasive plant has recently been seen in the Menantico Creek here (see picture), and CU, in conjunction with the city of Vineland and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife, is encouraging land owners to sign on to a joint effort to rid the area of the plant.

Anyone finding the plant growing in a waterway is asked to contact Brecht immediately at rbrecht.cumaurice@yahoo.com or 305-3238.

Parrotfeather can outcompete native vegetation, clog drainage ditches and streams increasing flooding and mosquito populations, and decrease fishing and other recreational opportunities.

It reproduces by fragmentation; yanking it out may exacerbate its growth.