Water hyacinth (Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries)

Water hyacinth

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Water hyacinth
Closeup photograph of a spike of water hyacinth flowers which are light purple with a darker purple and yellow centre
Water hyacinth flower
Photograph of a water hyacinth infestation showing how the weed forms a thick mat on the surface of water
Water hyacinth


General information

A native from Brazil, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was introduced into Australia in the early 1900s as an aquatic ornamental plant. Valued for its floral presentation, it was released into ponds and lagoons in public parks throughout Queensland. This plant has become a major pest of creeks, rivers and dams.

Water hyacinth is a declared Class 2 plant under Queensland legislation.

Scientific name Eichhornia crassipes
Impacts
  • destroys native habitats
  • depletes water bodies of oxygen
  • increases water loss
  • provides breeding ground for mosquitoes
Description
  • a floating waterweed with a fibrous root system
  • leaves are round, dark green up to 5 cm in diameter
  • leaf stalks are swollen into spongy, bulbous structures
  • flowers are light purple with a darker blue/purple and yellow centre
Habitat and distribution
  • grows from seed and through vegetative reproduction
  • seeds are produced in capsules at the base of each flower
  • prefers fresh, static or slow-flowing water with high organic content
  • infestations mostly in coastal Queensland and New South Wales
Control
  • a combined approach of different control methods including chemical, biological and herbicide integrated with land management practices is most effective
  • see the water hyacinth fact sheet for further information
Declaration details
  • a declared Class 2 species under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
  • control of declared pests is required by landholders
Further information
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Author: Sonia Jordan
Page maintained by Sonia Jordan
Last updated 11 September 2007

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