Swaziland's Alien Plants Database

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laub.

PONTEDERIACEAE

Water hyacinth

Invasive, Swaziland Status Unknown

Origin: Tropical S America

Growth Form: Aquatic herb

Plant Description: Plant: Perennial, aquatic plant, free-floating or anchored in shallow water, usually 100–200 mm high but up to 1 m when growing in dense mats; roots of floating plants long and feathery. Leaves: Shiny, dark green, in rosettes, erect with distinctive, swollen, bladder-like petioles. Flowers: Pale violet or blue, in 8–10 flowered spikes, each flower measuring about 50 mm in diameter, upper petal with a prominent dark blue, yellow-centred patch, November–April. Fruit: Capsules with very fine seed.

Key Features:

Control:

Comments: Possible