Pontederiaceae

Pontederia crassipes

Common Names: Water hyacinth Synonyms: Eichhornia crassipes

Plant Form: Free-floating aquatic herb. Size: Up to 1 m tall. Stem: Horizontal stems which root at nodes. Also spongy, often inflated, buoyant leaf stalks. Leaves: Flat, thick, oval to rounded-oblong shape with a tip that is abrupt or blunt, sometimes with a slight indent. Glossy green and up to 25 cm long. Flowers: Showy, 3-7 cm across with 6 petals fused at base. Blue to purplish, with a yellow centre. Fruit and Seeds: 3-chambered capsules up to 15 mm long containing up to 300 ribbed seeds. Habitat: Rivers, swamps, lagoons, dams, reservoirs. Distinguishing Features: Distinguished from Anchored water hyacinth (Eichhornia azurea) in having swollen leaf stalks and smooth leaf edges. Impacts: Blocks and chokes waterways, reduces available water oxygen, destroys wetlands.