Water hyacinth

There are seven species of water hyacinth (scientific name: Eichhornia crassipes) and together they form the genus Ichornia. Water hyacinth is a free-floating perennial aquatic plant. It is native to South America. Thick, glossy and ovate-leafed water hyacinth can grow up to 1 m above the surface of the water. From its stem emerges long, fibrous, multicolored roots, the color of which is purple-black. From one inflorescence 8-15 attractive 6-petalled bunches are made.

Water hyacinth can reproduce very quickly. It produces a large number of seeds which can germinate even after 30 years. The most well-known water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes breeds overnight and doubles in about two weeks. Water hyacinth is a provincial flower of Sindh in South Pakistan.