Download Water Hyacinth

Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia crassipes
Presented By: Kaydee Oliver
Introduction
 Native to Brazil
 Introduced to the United States
approximately1884 in New Orleans.
 Free Floating Perennial
 Obligate Plant
 Water Hyacinths are found globally
in tropical and sub-tropic climates.
They are also can be found in
temperate climates however they
are not winter hardy.
 Thrives in all types of freshwater
sources.
 Located on Florida’s Prohibited
Aquatic Plant List.
Characteristics
 Flowers: 8-15 lavender flowers form a
single spike, each flower has 6 petals, the
uppermost petal of each flower is slightly
larger with a blue and yellow splotch in the
center.
 Leaves: Entire, rounded, and rosette
shaped . They are 6 inches wide, waxy
green, water proof, and have numerous fine
veins.
 Roots: Purplish to black, feathery, and
submersed.
Distribution
 In Arizona, Arkansas and
Washington, the Water
Hyacinth is believed to be
"eradicated".
 In New York, Kentucky,
Tennessee, and Missouri, as
well as farther north the
Water Hyacinth can live
during the summer months,
however it does not survive
though the winter.
 Water Hyacinth has not
been found in Pennsylvania.
Problems
 1 acre of Water Hyacinth
plants can weight up to 200
tons! In 6-18 days they can
double there mat size.
 Mats of these plants block
air supply, reducing oxygen
levels, eliminating fish and
other aquatic plants and life.
 Make boating and fishing
impossible.
 Florida spends millions
each year to control the
Water Hyacinth from
clogging waterways.
Control
 The weed weevils Neochetina
bruchi (left) and Neochetina
eichhorniae (right) have been found
to be very effective in controlling the
Water Hyacinth.
 Removing with a chopping
machine or another type of
mechanical harvester.
 Use of approved aquatic
herbicides are can provide
temporary relief as well.
 Clean your equipment before
moving from one body of water to
another.
Before buying a plant for your
backyard pond consider the risks of
each plant you chose.
Sources
USDA. USDA . 29 September 2012. 29 September 2012
<http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=EICR&photoID=eicr_012_ahp.tif>.
Victor Ramey, Barbara Peichel. Water Hyacinth . 1 June 2001. 29 September 2012
<http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/141>.