Water hyacinth
Eichhornia crassipes
Water hyacinth: Eichhornia crassipes
Common name:
Water hyacinthScientific name:
Eichhornia crassipes (Pontederiaceae)Alternative common names:
Nile lily (English); waterhiasint; Nyllelie; snotterbel (Afrikaans); amazibo (isiZulu)
A perennial aquatic plant, free-floating or anchored in shallow water, usually 10-20cm high but up to 1m when growing in dense mats. It has dark shiny green leaves in rosettes with distinctive, swollen, bladder-like petioles. Pale violet or blue flowers in 8-10 flowered spikes appear from November to April. This aquatic plant invades dams and slow-moving rivers.
Additional Info
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Where does this species come from?
South America.What is its invasive status in South Africa?
Existing legislation: CARA 2002 – Category 1 NEMBA – Category 1bWhere in South Africa is it a problem?
Throughout many waterways in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State and Mpumalanga. It is particularly problematic along vast stretches of the Vaal River.How does it spread?
It produces flowers and seeds, otherwise it reproduces by runners.Why is it a problem?
Forms dense mats which completely cover the water surface leading to altered water chemistry and composition at the detriment of other organisms.What does it look like?
General description: Perennial, aquatic plant, free-floating or anchored in shallow water, usually 10-20cm high but up to 1m when growing in dense mats; roots of floating plants long and feathery. Leaves: Dark shiny green occurring in rosettes with swollen, bladder-like petioles growing above the surface of the water. Flowers: Pale violet or blue, in 8-10 flowered spikes, upper petal with a prominent dark blue, yellow-centred patch. Flowers from November-April. Fruit/Seeds: Produces capsules with very fine seed.Does the plant have any uses?
Used as a fishpond or water feature ornamental.Plant me instead alternatives
White water-lily (Nymphaea lotus), blue water-lily (Nymphaea nouchali), small yellow water-lily (Nymphoides thunbergiana)