Water hyacinth

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

This plant is a Weed of National Significance. It must not be sold anywhere in New South Wales.

How does this weed affect you?

Water hyacinth smothers the surface of waterways, dams, irrigation channels and drains. It can rapidly take over an entire waterway and under favourable conditions can double its mass every five days.

Water hyacinth is able to reduce water levels, water quality and oxygen levels as well as reducing the amount of sunlight under the water. Water hyacinth can cause changes in water temperature and pH, which can negatively impact the aquatic life surrounding it.

Large infestations impact negatively on agriculture and infrastructure by reducing the quality of drinking water for livestock and restricting access to water.

The plant can damage pastures and crops when masses of it settle in a paddock after floods.

Water hyacinth is capable of damaging fences, roads, bridges and culverts when masses of the plant become mobile during floods and can block irrigation channels and equipment.

More information

For more information, download the NSW WeedWise app, head to weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au or speak to a Council Weeds Officer on 6566 3200.