I won't be having water-hyacinths
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339930)
Rockingham, Australia
October 16, 2024 4:05am CST
MyLotter, Always Smiling, posted about her water hyacinths and I thought they might be a nice option for me to have in a basin or small pond. When I researched, I found that they are a declared weed in Western Australia. It must not be sold and must be reported if seen, and destroyed.
The danger is that the plant can choke waterways. Because the plant forms a thick blanket, it prevents the light from entering and depletes oxygen supplies. This causes algal bloom and impacts heavily on native fauna. Water hyacinth has the potential to choke waterways, preventing light entering and depleting oxygen, causing algal bloom and native fauna to die.
There are a number of attractive plants which are ‘escapees’ and have become pests. One is the arum lily. It looks lovely along the creek beds in the south-west but is a menace to land-owners. So, no water-hyacinths for me.
The photo is of water-lilies at Monet's garden in France.
23 people like this
22 responses
@moffittjc (121581)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Oct
It’s a shame, because so many of the prettiest plants are considered invasive species that can destroy native ecosystems.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121581)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Oct
@JudyEv That seems to be very true.
1 person likes this
@somewitch (1387)
•
16 Oct
They would have been a nice addition indeed, but really, you don't want to end up in prison for growing water hyacinths. 
5 people like this
@snowy22315 (180663)
• United States
16 Oct
Well, another good idea that can't come to fruition!
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (46947)
• India
16 Oct
In a way it reinforces the saying
"One Man's Meat is another's poison".
Similarly some plants suit a particular habitat but are totally unsuitable for another one.
2 people like this
@allknowing (136369)
• India
17 Oct
I knew about it choking waterways in the US and there also it is banned Not so here.
We had a pond for water lilies that I got rid of as I saw a snake in there one day.
2 people like this
@allknowing (136369)
• India
17 Oct
@JudyEv Lizards are not a problem but snakes surely would put off any one .
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16762)
• China
16 Oct
There are two sides to everything.Water hyacinth can purify industrial wastewater and domestic sewage and be used as feed for pigs ,etc.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79833)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Oct
I do love what they look like. They grew along the banks in the Daugava River in Latvia. Glad you found out about them in time.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Oct
I've never heard of them or seen any before and this might be why.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
17 Oct
So many invasive plants and animals. I'm sorry you can't have your hyacinths. Have a good day.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47308)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
16 Oct
You could always have some artificial ones...
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (106192)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Oct
Some areas don't allow them here because of that. Ohio does but our winters kill them out so they can't take over.
2 people like this
