Water hyacinth

Family: Pontederiaceae
Scientific name: Pontederia crassipes
Description: 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 (Pontederia azurea) in having swollen leaf stalks and smooth leaf edges. Weed Status: Priority Weed Weed Type: Environmental, Invasive Garden Escapee Lifeform: Aquatic, Herbaceous

Example images for this weed

National and state/territory profiles for this weed

Weeds Australia
NSW WeedWise (NSW)
DEECA (VIC)
! Should be reported
DES (QLD)
! Should be reported
PIRSA (SA)
! Should be reported
DPIRD (WA)
DNRE (TAS)
! Should be reported
DEPWS (NT)
! Should be reported
NSW Weedwise (ACT) (ACT)
! Should be reported