Water Hyacinth is a floating plant with purple flowers. Though beautiful, it spreads fast, covering water surfaces and blocking sunlight for aquatic life.
It thrives in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds. Originally from South America, it has spread worldwide, creating problems in many water bodies.
This plant grows so fast that it clogs waterways, stopping boats and blocking fish movement. It also reduces oxygen levels, harming fish and other aquatic species.
It spreads through seeds and floating stems. Even small pieces can grow into new plants, making it extremely hard to control once it takes over a water body.
Despite its problems, it is used for animal feed, compost, and water filtration. Some countries even use it to make paper and biofuel due to its fast growth.
Manual removal, herbicides, and biological control, like using weevils that eat the plant, help manage its spread, but it requires constant effort.
Learn to recognize the plant and avoid touching it. Keep children and pets away, and report sightings to local authorities so they can take action to remove it safely.