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    Center For Aquatic And Invasive Plants

    Center For Aquatic And Invasive Plants

    Section 1 - Header
    • plants.ifas.ufl.edu
    • Why Manage Plants
    • Florida's Invasive Aquatic Plants
    • Water hyacinth

    Water hyacinth

    Quick Facts

    • Scientific name: Eichhornia crassipes
    • Origin: South America
    • Introduction: 1880s, horticulturists
    • Aquatic community: Floating
    • Habitat: Water surfaces
    • Distribution: Statewide, especially peninsula
    • Management effort: Maintenance control

    Water hyacinthWater hyacinth


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    Environmental and Economic Concerns

    • Populations can double in as little as two weeks
    • Reproduce by seeds and stolons
      • seeds can lie dormant in sediments for years
      • mass germination when dried sediments reflood after drought
    • Harbors mosquitoes
    • Increases sedimentation by shedding roots, leaves and shoots
    • Dense mats prevent air and light diffusion into water, consume oxygen
      • displacing native plants, fish and wildlife
      • preventing decomposition of detritus
    • Rapid dispersal by wind and water movement
    • Mats jam against bridges and flood control structures
    • Reduces property values and local tax revenues

    Management Options

    • Biological: Two weevil species and a moth larvae stress plants, reducing plant size, vigor, and seed production – plant hopper species released in October 2014
    • Chemical: Diquat, 2,4-D, occasionally glyphosate, flumioxazin, penoxsulam, copper, imazamox
    • Mechanical: Harvesters or shredders at bridges or flood control structures
    • Physical: Occasional hand pulling pioneer populations
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    UF / IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
    7922 NW 71 Street Gainesville, FL 32653
    (352) 392-9613

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