Plant Management in Florida Waters
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
- 2020 Acres Treated: 25,266*
(*acres of water hyacinth and water lettuce combined)
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