Common Water Hyacinth | Water Hyacinth facts | Aagaya thamarai

Common Water Hyacinth | Water Hyacinth facts

Water Hyacinth Overview

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) originated some time around 200 years ago in eastern Asia near the Yangtze River basin. At that time, it was called Eichhornia crassifolia. The name “water hyacinth” comes from the fact that these floating aquatic plants were initially used as ornamental garden ornamentals, before they began invading waterways throughout the world. Today, water hyacinths are considered invasive species, having been introduced into over 100 countries. These plants have become both a nuisance and an ecological threat due to their rapid expansion and high abundance in freshwaters across the globe.

A native of South America, the water hyacinth is believed to have evolved somewhere between the Andes Mountains and Rio de la Plata. The species reached North America via the Mississippi River and its tributaries in the 1800s. Water hyacinths thrive in warm climates and in standing bodies of water where the waters flow slowly. In such locations, the plants require little maintenance, and often grow rapidly. Within just a few decades, the species has colonised many waterways across the U.S., Europe, Australia, Japan, India, and Africa.

 If left unchecked, water hyacinth would soon overwhelm even the largest rivers and lakes. One way to control the spread of this invasive species is to remove the plants manually. However, once the plants reach a certain size, removing them becomes nearly impossible, and the only option may be to chemically treat the waterway. According to a study published in 2016 in the journal Weed Science, spraying glyphosate, a herbicide commonly known as Roundup, kills the plants by disrupting the natural balance of insects and bacteria in the ecosystem.

Because the plant contains toxic chemicals, it is not recommended to eat any part of the plant. However, people have harvested the roots, flowers, and seeds and dried them for cooking. Other uses for the plant include making paper, roofing, construction, and biodegradable packaging materials.

As a result of the massive infestations caused by the water hyacinth, many animals—including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and humans—have been affected. While water hyacinths do not affect the survival rate of fish, they prevent them from accessing oxygen and can cause the death of young fish. Many frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes, crocodiles, and birds have been observed dying after coming into contact with the plants. Reptile pet owners should always check their pets’ aquarium or pond for dead reptilian friends. In addition, the presence of the plants can block sunlight from reaching aquatic plants and animals, ultimately causing their demise.

The American Society of Agronomy estimates that the annual loss to agriculture worldwide from the invasion of water hyacinths exceeds $300 million in damage costs to crops alone. The cost to maintain clean waterways is estimated to exceed $500 million annually in losses and expenses related to treatment, cleanup, and removal of the plants.

Due to their rapid growth and adaptability to different types of habitats, water hyacinth poses major threats to ecosystems. Researchers warn that the continued proliferation of the plant could lead to the extinction of many rare and endangered species.

The seeds lack endosperm, making them incapable of becoming dormant. Instead they undergo diapause until conditions improve. Once favourable, they begin to germinate and grow rapidly. One study showed that water hyacinth seeds survived in soil for about 15 years.

Common Water Hyacinth 

Common Water Hyacinth grows as tall clumps up to three feet high and spreads rapidly via rhizomes. Plants produce long strap-like rootstocks, producing clusters of thin, succulent stem shoots and leaves. Leaves are alternately arranged on opposite sides of the leaf stalk, giving the appearance of a palm tree's fronds. They are dark green and thick and each leaf contains a single pair of parallel veins. Leaf stems may extend up to six inches beyond the top of the clump. Leaves are produced throughout the year. On average, the leaves of a mature plant weigh about 0.25 pounds.

The flowers of Common Water Hyacinth are small and greenish white in colour, enclosed in a five-pointed calyx. Flowers appear in drooping clusters at the ends of young stems.

Water Hyacinth blooms for only a few days each summer. Male flowering occurs before female flowering. After male flowers open, they release pollen onto females until the last day of male flower production. Pollen then falls to the ground where it germinates into seedlings. Female flowers remain closed for two weeks after pollination. When conditions are right, seed capsules develop and drop off the flower stalks. Seeds disperse over water surfaces by rain and wind. Seedlings germinate from seeds and colonise new habitats.

It is possible to spot female flowers developing on submerged stems, however, these are likely to abort. If a female flower does not abort, it becomes a male flower and produces pollen. Once the stigma develops, the ovaries ripen and release their seeds.

Common Water Hyacinth is an annual herb growing 30 cm to 1m tall. A typical plant consists of several erect stem branches radiating from a central woody base. Small leaves occur along the lower stem and larger ones farther up; they are alternate and entire with blunt margins. Clusters of tiny white flowers are borne singly at the end of short stems; sometimes these are branched. Each individual flower has four pointed sepals. The four petals consist of a narrow upper lip and a broad lower lip, joined together with a spur. The two inner lips are folded back to expose the four stamens and the style. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous minute seeds.

The genus Eichhornia is composed of approximately 30 species, many of which are considered weeds worldwide. Species from Eurasia and North America, including Canada, are commonly referred to as Common Water Hyacinth.

Many species have been reclassified since the original description of the genus in 1753. Today, Eichhornia crassinervis (synonym: E. densa), E. polycarpa, and E. palustris are regarded as separate genera, while E. sesleri (synonym: Eichhornia sessilis) is treated as a variety of E. crassifolia (synonyms: E. crassiflora var. sessilis; E. crassicaulis).

These plants are classified as invasive species. They are non-native and are often difficult to eradicate once established. In addition to being extremely hardy, they are prolific producers of seeds, which can travel great distances in flood waters. They tend to be aggressive colonisers, taking hold of land in a wide range of climates and soils, even those that are unsuitable for agriculture.

 Types of Water Hyacinth

There are many varieties of water hyacinth and they fall into two categories; hardy and weedy. Hardy varieties are those that survive harsh winters without damage. Weedy varieties don't stay dormant during the winter time and continue to grow vigorously. Both types of water hyacinth are invasive species and are difficult to eradicate once established.

Hardy varieties are classified according to their size and shape. The biggest of these, commonly referred to as big leafed water hyacinth, grows up to 5 inches high and can reach heights of 10 feet. The smaller ones tend to grow closer to 1 foot tall. These varieties are generally yellowish-green to green in colour and have smooth dark green stems.

The second kind of variety are the weedy varieties. These can grow up to 6 feet tall and are distinguished primarily by their flower heads. They are often seen floating in large clusters on the surface of bodies of water. There are also varieties of water hyacinthe that can grow from seed or rhizome.

Invasive Species Invasive species are plants or animals that become naturalised in the area where they were introduced, and then spread naturally outside of their original range. Aquatic weeds are plants that spread naturally along waterways. Once present, they may not be eradicated using traditional methods.

How To Control An Invasive Species Water Hyacinth?

Removal is the only surefire method for controlling invasive species. But removal is both labour intensive and expensive. So before removing any invasive species, be sure you know what you are removing and where it came from.

Another option is to kill the invaders. This might sound simple, but it is actually quite tricky. Most invasive species have thick, leathery leaves that make them resistant to herbicides. Even if you manage to spray an herbicide directly onto the foliage of the invader, the chemical won’t bind to the leaf properly and the plant will simply move away from the treated area.

One solution is to use mechanical techniques. Herbicidal equipment can cut down the existing plants while leaving behind plenty of dead material that serves as a barrier between the remaining plants and the herbicide. Mechanical removal is effective, but it requires ongoing maintenance to keep the machinery working well. It also costs money.

Some invasive species can be controlled by planting native plants. Native plants are plants that are adapted to the environment in which they grow. They are usually stronger than invasive species and therefore easier to remove.

If you find yourself fighting off an infestation of invasive species, try to remember that nature isn’t always fair. Sometimes things go wrong. You may experience some failure along the way. Don’t panic. Just try again until you succeed. And try to remember that good things really do happen to good people.

What are the value added products produced from water hyacinth?

The fibrous stems of water hyacinth make excellent materials for making paper pulp and paper.

Commercial production of water hyacinth includes the removal of the plant's stems, which are then sold for industrial purposes. Most commercially grown water hyacinth is processed into mulch, paper pulp, and other commercial products.

It is also used as a decorative plant in hanging baskets and window boxes. Growing water hyacinth also provides useful fibre for basket weaving.

In conclusion, water hyacinths look like clumpy, dense green plants with thick stems, sometimes growing up to 3 feet across, which grow along lakes, rivers, ponds, and even small bodies of water. They don't need much sun; instead they thrive under overhanging trees, shrubs, and other vegetation. Because of this, they're often found near wetland areas.