Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms.-Laub.   Pontederiaceae (Pickerel-Weed Family)   Trop. America   Water Hyacinth     Common Water Hyacinth

                                          August Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Perennial, floating or rooting at nodes on mud; lvs. floating or emersed, 1-12 cm. wide, ovate to rounded, slightly scabrous above; petioles inflated at base; scape 1-4 dm. high, sheathed near middle; fls. many, showy, spicate, rarely paniculate; perianth funnelform, ca. 5 cm. long, 6-lobed, violet, the upper lobe enlarged and with patch of blue having yellow center; stamens 6, unequally inserted, some of them exserted; ovary sessile, 3-celled, many ovuled; style filiform.

Habitat:  Occasionally naturalized in sloughs and ponds, Santa Ana R. system and at Ramona and San Ysidro, San Diego Co.; native of trop. Am., where it may be a serious pest interfering with navigation.  June-Oct.

Name:  Named for J.A.F. Eichorn, 1779-1856, German statesman.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 1007).  Latin, crassus, thick, heavy.  (Jaeger 69).  Probably referring to the thick leaves and stems.

General:  Uncommon in the study area, having been found in the Delhi ditch and at 23rd Street.  Photographed at both of these locations.   In November 1987 I observed this plant floating between stands of Spartina foliosa where it was apparently being eaten with relish by coots. (my comments).      Young leaves, leaf stalks, flowers stalks, and flower buds may be eaten after thorough steaming or boiling.  If not boiled long enough, the plant may cause unpleasant itching of the skin after being eaten.  (Kirk 278).      Six species in the tropics.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 1007).

Text Ref:  Hickman, Ed. 1303; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 1007; Robbins et al. 119; Roberts 48.

Photo Ref:  Aug 1 85 # 9,13; Aug 1 86 # 21..

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by F. Roberts.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 263

No plant specimen.

Last edit 6/7/03.

                                          August Photo