A South American floating aquatic plant with bulbous leaf bases and spikes of lavender flowers, beautiful but among the worlds most damaging invasive weeds.
Description
Water hyacinth floats freely on still water, supported by spongy bulbs at the bases of glossy round leaves. Tall spikes carry striking lavender-blue flowers with a yellow eye.
Cultivation
It multiplies prodigiously in warm nutrient-rich waters, often choking lakes and reservoirs. In many tropical countries it must be removed mechanically by the boatload to keep waterways open.
Uses
Despite its invasive reputation, water hyacinth filters polluted water effectively and is increasingly woven into baskets, furniture, and paper as an ecologically beneficial use of harvested plants.
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Water Hyacinth starts with W and ends with H. Browse other plants along the same letter.
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