Anchored water hyacinth is a water weed that can float or grow under the water’s surface. It forms dense mats in, and across water bodies.
Anchored water hyacinth invades still or slow-moving freshwater bodies. It forms dense mats in and across the top of the water where it:
Anchored water hyacinth is usually rooted in soil under the water but can also be free floating. The leaves may be underwater, floating or above the water.
Leaves growing above the water are:
Leaves growing underwater or in heavy shade are:
Anchored water hyacinth looks similar to:
Anchored water hyacinth is not currently known to occur in Australia. In 2005 it was removed from a retail outlet in northern Sydney and has not been reported since.
Anchored water hyacinth is native to Mexico, Central America, South America and Jamaica.
Anchored water hyacinth grows in still or slow-moving freshwater such as wetlands, dams, irrigation channels and river banks. It usually has roots in mud or clay beneath the water. It can reach the surface even when rooted at depths of up to 10–15 metres. It can also survive free-floating in the water.
Flowering occurs in summer and autumn and seeds germinate in spring. Seeds are spread in water and mud via vehicles, boats and birds.
Anchored water hyacinth is able to reproduce vegetatively when new daughter plants grow from the stems of the parent plant. It spreads when daughter plants or pieces of stem break away and move downstream. Whole sections of an infestation can break off and move during floods and periods of high water flow.
It could be spread by dumping unwanted pond or aquarium plants.
Burton, J. (2005) Water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes. Agfact. P7.6.43 third edition. NSW DPI.
Department of the Environment (2011) Weeds in Australia, Eichhornia azura, Australian Government. Available at www.environment.gov.au
Grantley, J., McPhersonm, F., & Petroeschevsky, A. (2009). Recognising water weeds: plant identification guide. Industry & Investment NSW.
Please do not attempt to treat or dispose of this weed yourself. Report this plant if you see it anywhere in NSW by calling the helpline listed at the top of this page immediately.
NSW DPI will lead an initial response for the treatment and disposal of the plant to stop it from spreading.
Early detection of anchored water hyacinth is critical to keeping Australia free of this serious weed.
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Only products registered for aquatic use)
Rate: Up to 200 mL per 10 L of water
Comments: Spot spray application.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
Area | Duty |
---|---|
All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
All of NSW |
Prohibited Matter
A person who deals with prohibited matter or a carrier of prohibited matter is guilty of an offence. A person who becomes aware of or suspects the presence of prohibited matter must immediately notify the Department of Primary Industries |
Reviewed 2021