210 likes | 489 Views
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.
E N D
Water HyacinthEichhornia crassipesPresented 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>.