Eichhornia crassipes

NAME: Eichhornia crassipesc

FAMILY: Pontederiaceae

COMMON NAMES: Water Hyacinth, Floating Water Hyacinth, Common Water Hyacinth

LOCAL NAMES: Makhana (India), Kangkung Air (Indonesia), Jacinto de Agua (Spanish), La Renoncule d'eau (French)

MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION: Eichhornia crassipes is a free-floating aquatic plant with thick, spongy stems and large, rounded, glossy green leaves. The leaves are arranged in a rosette pattern and have a prominent central vein. The plant produces showy, lavender to blue-violet flowers that are borne on a spike-like inflorescence. The flowers have six petals, with the uppermost petal adorned with a yellow spot. Eichhornia crassipes has a root system composed of long, feathery roots that dangle beneath the water's surface.

USEFUL PART(s): The whole plant, including the leaves, stems, roots, and flowers of Eichhornia crassipes, can have various uses.

GENERAL USES:

  1. Ornamental Plant: Eichhornia crassipes is cultivated as an ornamental plant in water gardens and ponds due to its attractive flowers and foliage.

  2. Phytoremediation: Despite being considered an invasive species in many regions, Eichhornia crassipes has been utilized for its phytoremediation properties. It has the ability to absorb excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from water bodies, helping to improve water quality and combat eutrophication.

  3. Livestock Feed: In some areas, Eichhornia crassipes is used as fodder for livestock, particularly cattle and pigs. The plant is harvested, dried, and then incorporated into animal feed as a source of nutrition.

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION: Eichhornia crassipes is native to South America but has become widely distributed throughout the world due to its invasive nature. It is found in tropical and subtropical regions across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America. The plant thrives in freshwater habitats such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and marshes.

WHY IS IT GREEN? Like other plants, Eichhornia crassipes appears green due to the presence of chlorophyll in its cells. Chlorophyll is a pigment that absorbs light energy from the sun and plays a vital role in photosynthesis. Through photosynthesis, chlorophyll captures sunlight and converts it into chemical energy, facilitating the synthesis of carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Eichhornia crassipes can have both positive and negative environmental impacts. While it is appreciated for its phytoremediation abilities, the plant can also be highly invasive and form dense mats on the surface of water bodies. These mats can block sunlight, deplete oxygen levels, and hinder the growth of native aquatic plants, disrupting ecosystems and impacting biodiversity.

FUN FACT: The flowers of Eichhornia crassipes are not only visually striking but also have an interesting adaptation. The flower spike contains specialized air-filled cells that allow the inflorescence to float on the water's surface, enhancing its pollination potential.

Further Reading:

  • "Eichhornia crassipes: An invasive plant in the United States" by G. Gopal