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ADDITIONAL PHOTOS


Eichhornia crassipes


Common water hyacinth


Photographer: Wendy VanDyk Evans
Source:

Description

Roots are dark and feathery, only extending into the soil during flowering. Plants float on and extend above the water due to enlarged-bulb-like petioles. Leaves are thick, shiny, bright green, 1-5 inches in width, and are kidney-shaped, or slightly concave. Flowers are conspicuous and lavender, in groups of 8-15 atop a stalk reaching 16 inches. Flowers are 6-petaled, the central lobe of which has a yellow oval-shaped spot. While rarely observed, fruit is a 3-celled capsule, containing many seeds, found in a submerged, withered flower.



Photographer: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

This photo illustrates the leaf shape and the large bulbous bases (petioles) of the leaves.



Photographer: James R. Holland, Bugwood.org

Infestation, during blooming-time, illustrating how water hyacinth can form a dense population.







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