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The Water Hyacinth

The Water Hyacinth. Eichhornia crassipes. Labeled one of the worst invasive plants in the world It is a member of the Pontederiaceae family A noxious species. Water Hyacinth. Characteristics. Mat forming, floating plant Spongy, waxy and glossy leaves

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The Water Hyacinth

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  1. The Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes

  2. Labeled one of the worst invasive plants in the world It is a member of the Pontederiaceae family A noxious species Water Hyacinth

  3. Characteristics • Mat forming, floating plant • Spongy, waxy and glossy leaves • Doubles its population in as little as 12 days • 95% water, has a fibrous tissue • Is similar to the native frog's-bit, Limnobium spongia

  4. Characteristics Continued… • Remove nutrients directly from water. • Reproduction includes • Sexual-- seeds • Asexual– over wintering stems and the creation of daughter plants

  5. Often Confused with Frog's-bit, Limnobium spongia native of golf states

  6. History • Native of South America • Introduced to Florida in the early1880’s. • Became a popular plant for gardens and domestic ponds.

  7. Example of a large mat Located in Milnerton, Cape Town in South Africa

  8. Location/ Habitat • Wetland plant • Grows in rivers: • Ponds • lakes • costal fresh water bays • marshes • It is available in Pennsylvania for purchase from nurseries • They are problematic to the ponds and lakes of Pennsylvania

  9. U.S. Distribution of Invasive Populations

  10. Uses • Has been used by waste treatment plants • It is a ornamental plant • Possible food source • high energy and protein content

  11. Impact • Damage • Disrupts commercial and recreational use of waterways • Much like algae their deaths lead to anoxic conditions • Future • Scientists are worried about the development of a cold resistant species • Likely because it reproduces sexually

  12. Impacted Continued… • Has also invaded • Central America • North America • Africa • India • Asia • Australia • New Zealand

  13. Biota Control • The use of herbicides is a common method of control • diquat • Other control methods involve the introduction of insects • They reduce to plant height and consume viable seeds

  14. Biota Control Continued… moth (Sameodes albiguttalis) two weevil species of the Neochetina spp.

  15. Thanks to: • http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/hyacin2.html • http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/weeds/aqua010.html

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