1. The Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes

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

4. 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

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

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

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

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

9. 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

10. U.S. Distribution of Invasive Populations

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

12. 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

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

15. 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

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

17. Thanks to: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/hyacin2.html http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/w eeds/aqua010.html