Eichhornia crassipes

Eichhornia_crassipes_ by By Wouter Hagens
Photo: Wouter Hagens

Synonyms: Eichhornia speciosa, Heteranthera formosa, Piaropus crassipes, Pontederia crassipes

Common names: water hyacinth

Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) is a floating freshwater perennial (family Pontederiaceae) that jams rivers and lakes with tons of floating plant matter. Floating mats of this plant can weigh up to 200 tons per acre. In California, Eichhornia crassipes typically is found below 660 feet (200 m) elevation in the Central Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and south coast.

Cal-IPC Rating: High?

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Eichhornia crassipes Information

  • Bugwood - National database from the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia.
  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Eichhornia crassipes_water hyacinth_Bob Case_cropped
    Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) infestation. Photo: Bob Case
    Eichhornia crassipes_whole plant_copyright 2018_NealKramer
    Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) whole plant. Photo: &#169 2018 Neal Kramer