Transcript The Water Hyacinth

The Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia crassipes
Water Hyacinth
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Labeled one of the
worst invasive plants in
the world
It is a member of the
Pontederiaceae family
A noxious species
Characteristics
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Mat forming, floating plant
Spongy, waxy and glossy leaves
Doubles its population in as little as 12 days
95% water, has a fibrous tissue
Is similar to the native frog's-bit, Limnobium
spongia
Characteristics Continued…
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Remove nutrients directly from water.
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Reproduction includes
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Sexual-- seeds
Asexual– over wintering stems and the creation of
daughter plants
Often Confused with
Frog's-bit, Limnobium spongia
native of golf states
History
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Native of South America
Introduced to Florida in the
early1880’s.
Became a popular plant for
gardens and domestic ponds.
Example of a large mat
Located in Milnerton, Cape
Town in South Africa
Location/ Habitat
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Wetland plant
Grows in rivers:
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Ponds
lakes
costal fresh water bays
marshes
It is available in Pennsylvania for purchase from
nurseries
They are problematic to the ponds and lakes of
Pennsylvania
U.S. Distribution of Invasive Populations
Uses
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Has been used by waste treatment plants
It is a ornamental plant
Possible food source
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high energy and protein content
Impact
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Damage
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Disrupts commercial and recreational use of
waterways
Much like algae their deaths lead to anoxic
conditions
Future
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Scientists are worried about the development of a
cold resistant species
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Likely because it reproduces sexually
Impacted Continued…
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Has also invaded
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Central America
North America
Africa
India
Asia
Australia
New Zealand
Biota Control
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The use of herbicides is a common method of
control
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diquat
Other control methods involve the
introduction of insects
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They reduce to plant height and consume viable seeds
Biota Control Continued…
moth (Sameodes albiguttalis)
two weevil species of the Neochetina spp.
Thanks to:
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http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/hyacin2.html
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/w
eeds/aqua010.html