Parrot feather is a common aquatic plant in ponds and container water gardens. It is heterophyllous, which means part of the plant is submerged and part is above water. Its feather-like leaves are arranged around the stem in whorls of four to six, and the emergent part of the plant can grow to a foot above water, looking like mini fir trees. Small, pinkish white flowers emerge in the spring. Native to South America, Parrot Feather was introduced to North America in the late 19th century as a decorative plant; a popular plant in aquatic gardens, it spreads easily and has become an invasive species in many areas, clogging waterways and disrupting the growth of native plant species. If control is maintained, Parrot Feather improves water quality, absorbing excess nutrients and helping reduce the growth of algae.