Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Pontederiaceae
Botanical Name
Eichhornia crassipes
Plant Common Name
Common Water Hyacinth
General Description
Common water hyacinth is beautiful aquatic plant native to South America. It is a floating plant that forms dense mats, sometimes rooting in the mud. The leaves are elliptical to oval arising from rosettes on inflated petioles. The roots are dark blue-black and feathery. New plants form readily along floating stolons or horizontal stems. The flowers are held above the foliage in dense spikes when the weather is warm. The flowers are generally 2-lipped with blue to lavender petals and a central yellow spot. The fruit is a capsule which holds an abundance of seeds.
Water hyacinths are beautiful and considered one of the world’s worst weeds. It is now pandemic in distribution in subtropical and tropical areas with the exception of Europe and considered an invader in many countries. Water hyacinth will grow in just about any freshwater aquatic environment from wetlands to rivers, sunny or shady. It grows easily in water gardens and aquariums. Where it is perennial, it becomes a serious weed. Plant populations can explode very quickly in warm, nutrient rich locations, doubling in a matter of weeks. Thick populations degrade water quality and clog waterways. In the United States, water hyacinth is listed as a Federal Noxious Weed and its possession, sale and distribution is prohibited or regulated by some States.
For more information about the invasiveness of water hyacinth see the United States Department of Agriculture news report at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/mar00/water0300.htm or the Global Invasive Species Database report at http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=70&fr=1&sts=
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Aquatics
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
6"-12" / 15.2cm - 30.5cm
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
South America
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Poorly Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Very Fast
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Water Requirements
Ample Water
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Habit
Mat-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow, Blue, Lavender
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Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Fruit Color
Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Yes
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Self-Sowing
Yes
