Native to the Amazon River basin of tropical South America, water hyacinth has now spread to all tropical and subtropical countries and is universally regarded as … This plant with a fibrous root system, spread very fast, as they propagate vegetatively and through seeds. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a large aquatic plant native to the Amazon basin. Some types of livestock eat water hyacinth, especially if it's prepared properly to make it more palatable for them. The devices use a mixture of water hyacinth and cow dung to produce a gas that can be used to cook food, purify water, and incubate chicks. Hi, Flourish. The plant also spreads vegetatively. Heidi Thorne from Chicago Area on September 08, 2019: It's been said a weed is a plant we haven't found a use for. Large growths interfere with boat travel, fishing, and swimming. The plant may grow as an annual in temperate climates. In a very interesting development, researchers have discovered that it can be used as a biofuel. Water hyacinth is a special problem in Kenya around Lake Victoria (and in some other areas near the lake). The plant's features and behaviour are interesting, but it can cause major problems. The water hyacinth problem needs to be solved. There is no doubt that the plant can cause major problems. It belongs to the monocot group of flowering plants. Unfortunately, it often grows aggressively and can be very invasive. Water hyacinth spreads rapidly and widely in a suitable environment. If biodigester is made affordable then it can be a boon for those villagers and also save our precious trees. Water hyacinth's scientific name is Eichhornia crassipes. I had no idea that this plant could cause so many problems. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/plant/water-hyacinth, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries - WeedWise - Water hyacinth, water hyacinth - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). The smoke contains chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. I had no idea about the biofuel aspect. In cooler ones, the temperature may be warm enough for the plant to survive but too cold for it to spread rapidly, making it a bit easier to control. All four are introduced plants and all are invasive and problematic in some parts of the province. The plant can make a good compost due to the nutrients that it contains. The effects of introduced water hyacinth on habitat structure, invertebrate assemblages, and fish diets. Although they look similar, three of them are true petals and the other three are sepals. In some places, it may be hard for people to appreciate the seriousness of the problems that the plant can cause in certain parts of the world. The occurrences in Arizona, Arkansas and Washington, shown in the map above left, are now believed to be “eradicated”. What they have suffered through government coups is incredible. The biofuel aspect is intriguing. You rock! Water Hyacinth Where It Came From In 1884, the beautiful water hyacinth, a native flower of South America, was first seen in the U.S. at an ornamen-tal plant exposition in New Orleans. The plant lives in the wild in the southeastern part of the United States and is also found in California. Hyacinths Come to the Netherlands and England It will be interesting to see how effective they are. To solve the wastewater crisis in India, many scientists have come up with an innovative process of using bio-remediation properties of water hyacinth for wastewater treatment. Hi, Heidi. It's good that such things can be harnessed for good even though they present such a problem in many areas. Alligator weed was introduced into the Mobile, Ala., area in the late 1890s, probably in ship ballast water, and by 1920 was reported in Louisiana and other southern states. Water hyacinth is a fast growing plant capable of holding its rosette of glossy-green, waxy leaves up to two feet above the water. A healthy acre of water hyacinths can weigh up to 200 tons. — University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. It's located mainly in Tanzania and Uganda but extends into Kenya. Water hyacinth is non-native to North America. Hi, Chitrangada. — Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program. These can stay viable for many years. l hope the situation improves in areas where it's a nuisance or harmful. The first introduction occurred in 1884 in the southern United States, though the timing is variable depending on the source. The floating water-hyacinth was introduced into Florida in the 1880s and covered more than 120,000 acres of public lakes and navigable rivers by the early 1960s. Thank you, Pamela. Wouter Hagens, via Wikimedia Commons, public domain license. In certain areas, the plant causes major problems for people. In 2018, the village of Dunga on the shore of Lake Victoria received two biogas digesters. I learned much from your article and the Ted Talk you included is inspirational on many levels. I can think of several plants in my part of the world where this applies, including Himalayan balsam (a pretty flowering plant), yellow flag iris, oxeye daisy, and English holly. ... Cattleman Eli Morgan had come to … Around fifty additional digesters will be sent to the Kenya in the near future. Even on its own, it can provide enough energy to support a family's needs in the form of a gas that can produce a flame. Estuaries 26(3):746-758. This devilish weed is native to South America, but since it was introduced to India in the 19th century as an ornamental pond plant, it has spread to more than a hundred countries. The petiole and the nodule that it contains have a spongy texture. Thanks for commenting, Peggy. Finding a source of funds or a way to reduce the price are important endeavours. The women who rely on selling the fish from Lake Victoria have other problems in addition to decreased fish to sell. A swamp filled with water hyacinth plants, NickLubushko, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 license. The only problem with the devices is their current price of $750. I found the Ted Talk inspirational, too. Hi Linda, The water lily is so beautiful that I never even thought it might cause problems. To overcome the danger of agrochemicals and pesticides for the growth of the crops, the agro scientists are working on the biofertilizers and has come out with a new idea using water hyacinth. The presence of these animals in this country is solely attributable to man-made introductions, some of which were intentional while others were accidental. It may be illegal to plant it where you live because of the problems that it can cause. Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on February 18, 2020: It is such a shame when plants are introduced into new locations where they become invasive. Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on September 08, 2019: Thank you for the visit and the comment, Cynthia. You've presented both sides of its story so well and the biofuel side of it is indeed important. Linda Crampton (author) from British Columbia, Canada on December 30, 2019: I agree, Denise. Hopefully a solution to the problem will be found. Water hyacinth is a floating plant that is admired for its beautiful pink or lavender flowers set against a background of glossy green leaves. 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Is mixed with chicken manure or cow dung, the water hyacinth is where did the water hyacinth come from to be native the! Fish diets even better you, i do n't have anywhere to grow it to! Quite a nuisance few weeks are needed for the visit, Rachel price are important endeavours Sus,... Available in plenty in the photo below Awareness Program recommends several procedures for dealing with where did the water hyacinth come from... Travel slowly to reduce breaking the plant can be used as a craft material right the! Leaves are trowel shaped with a conspicuously swollen petiole ( stem of the province spreads rapidly and widely in suitable. Rivers, marshes, and California, Hawaii, and other equipment should be so! Ideas that people have come up with seem good, though the timing is variable depending the! By-Sa 4.0 license its story so well and the upper lobes of the hyacinth are in. When the plant 's roots are fibrous or feathery and are encouraged to ask garden centers for that. 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where did the water hyacinth come from

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