Thanks! Under ideal conditions its mass can double in five days! https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/WaterHyacinth https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/WaterHyac

Thanks! Under ideal conditions its mass can double in five days! https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/WaterHyacinth https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/WaterHyacinth Water hyacinth smothers the surface of waterways, dams, irrigation channels and drains. It can rapidly take over an entire waterway and under favourable conditions it can double its mass every 5 days. It reduces water levels, reduces water quality, causes changes in water temperature and pH, lowers oxygen levels, reduces the amount of sunlight under the water. The large infestations of water hyacinth impact negatively on agriculture and infrastructure by blocking irrigation channels and equipment reducing the quality of drinking water for livestock in restricting livestock access to water damaging pastures and crops when masses of the plant settle in a paddock after floods damaging fences during floods blocking roads, bridges and culverts when masses of the plant become mobile during floods. Water hyacinth also has negative impacts on people and the environment because it: restricts birds and other native animals’ access to water, prevents native water plants from growing, limits movement of aquatic animals reduces food and shelter for fish and other native animals provides favourable conditions for mosquitoes to breed prevents boating and water sports reduces the visual appeal of waterways. The NSW Herbarium currently uses the scientific name: Pontederia crassipes for water hyacinth. What does it look like? Water hyacinth is a floating water plant. In cool areas, the leaves die off during frosts but the crowns survive and regrow the following spring.