Like water lilies, Water Hyacinth is an aquatic plant found in the waterways of Guyana. The peacock-like pattern on its blooms are simply alluring and is or of the distinguishing characteristics of this aquatic plant. These native plants add to the exotic mix of aquatic plants in Guyana. However, it is also considered a weed because of its invasive habits. While Water Hyacinth is also known as the common hyacinth the scientific name for this plant is Eichhornia crassipes. There are two other similar species of Water Hyacinth are Eichhornia azurea, or Peacock hyacinth, and Eichhornia paniculata, or Brazilian water hyacinth but Eichhornia crassipes is the most widely distributed.
Water Hyacinth – Photo By Bamyers99 – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10000043
Origin of Water Hyacinth
Water Hyacinth is native to the tropical and sub-tropical parts of South America and thrives in various freshwater habitats. This plant grows in countries like Africa, Australia, Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, India, Suriname and Venezuela.
Scientific Classification of Water Hyacinth
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Monocots
- Clade: Commelinids
- Order: Commelinales
- Family: Pontederiaceae
- Genus: Eichhornia
- Species: E. crassipes
Description of Water Hyacinth
Water Hyacinth like the names suggests is an aquatic but perennial plant with long and spongy bulbous stalks. Its leaves are ovate, broad and thick with a glossy sheen. These leaves about four to eight (4-8) inches large and attached to stems which float on buoyant, bulblike nodes. A single erect stalk can support of spike of eight to fifteen (8-15) flowers. Their colour varies from lavender to pink and has six petals. Flowers have a distinctive pattern resembling that of a peacock’s feather. Roots are purple-black in colour, feathery and free hanging.
Uses of the Water Hyacinth
- Water Hyacinth is an ornamental species of plants, because of its exotic lavender blooms.
- Plants are often dried in the sun for about two to five (2-5) days, ground in a mill and turned into a meal for pigs.
- Water Hyacinth is also used to make Silage, fodder made from green foliage crops. It can be mixed with molasses, citrus pulp or grains of corn.
- Plants are chopped and mixed with byproducts like banana stems, bran, copra (from coconuts) or fish meal. It is then boiled and fed to ducks, fish and pigs.
- It is also a water-clearing agent. The roots of these plants purify any water it is found in by locking up the floating particles.
- Water Hyacinths are even used in the production mushroom as a substrate.
- Textiles, handbags, paper and even furniture can even be made with Water Hyacinths.
- When dried can be used as an alternative to firewood because of its great biomass.
- Water Hyacinth flowers are used to create a tonic that is rubbed onto the skin of horses.
- When properly cooked (steamed/boiled) the flower stalks are used in Taiwanese and Javanese cooking.
- It is also used in cologne and perfume products.
Interesting Tip
- Water Hyacinth was introduced as an ornamental place but in some places, it is considered a weed.
- When chopped, Water Hyacinth is used as fresh forage and fed directly to animals however oxalate crystals in the leaves cause mouth irritation in livestock.
- The seeds of Eichhornia crassipes have a lifespan of your to thirty (30) years.
- The plant is also rich in carotene.
About the Water Hyacinth
The Water Hyacinth would make a great addition to any aquatic garden, just be sure to keep a close eye on it. While in some parts of Guyana it is considered a weed when properly managed and cared for Water Hyacinths adds to the beauty to whatever waterway it grows in. Add them to pots, tubs, and ponds of any size and watch them add an exotic flair to your aquatic garden. Water Hyacinths are aesthetic and if you’re an aquatic gardener or just someone with an eye for beauty, they’ll be sure to catch your eye!
Article References
- https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/eafrinet/weeds/key/weeds/Media/Html/Eichhornia_crassipes_(Water_Hyacinth).htm
- https://www.feedipedia.org/node/160#:~:text=Water%20hyacinth%20is%20used%20for,supply%20biomass%20for%20biogas%20production.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eichhornia_crassipes
- https://www.cabi.org/Uploads/isc/caribbean-legislation/BEAP-IAS-guyana-national-strategy-nov-2011.pdf
- https://fullserviceaquatics.com/water-hyacinth-in-and-out-of-your-water-garden/
- https://garden.lovetoknow.com/garden-basics/aquatic-plants/water-hyacinth
- https://www.britannica.com/plant/pickerelweed
- https://fullserviceaquatics.com/water-hyacinth-in-and-out-of-your-water-garden/#:~:text=The%20water%20hyacinth%20is%20a,plant%20sports%20some%20huge%20roots.&text=The%20roots%20absorb%20impurities%2C%20and,thereby%20%E2%80%9Cpurifying%E2%80%9D%20the%20water.
