Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms

E. crassipes can reproduce both sexually and by vegetative propagation, and will generally be breeding vegetatively. However in some regions like in Reunion, seed production is not known. Seeds remain viable for 30 years. Under favorable environmental conditions, the double biomass in 5 to 15 days. Biomass is about 280 to 400 t / ha

E. crassipes is a floating plant in fresh water, pH 7 or acid, optimum growth temperature 25-30 ° C [ 12-35 ] ; it enjoys high levels of N , P, K in the middle. It is very tolerant to the salinity of the medium , it can usually withstand only very low salinities of around 0.06% .

Global weediness

E. crassipes generally a threat to aquatic plants and animals native species. For the establishment of a dense plant cover and especially single-species, E. crassipes can also interfere with the bird populations in thrall to aquatic environments, particularly with the ducks. It is causing significant changes in the physico-chemical characteristics of its new biotope (decreased nutrient concentration and dissolved oxygen in the water column), a decrease of penetration of solar radiation in the water and an increase in water loss through evapotranspiration (increases by 2 to 8 times the evaporation of a free water surface), upsets the mineral balance, causes a strong release of H2S. It prevents browsing, blocking dams, hampers access to water for livestock and people as well as fishing, blocking the pumps, which often translates into a significant economic impact.

Local weediness

Benin: E. crassipes is rare and scarce.
Burkina Faso: rare and scarce.
Chad: rare and scarce.
Ivory Coast: abundant rare but when present.
Ghana: abundant rare but when present.
Kenya: frequent and generally abundant.
Mali: abundant rare but when present.
Nigeria: abundant rare but when present.
New Caledonia: E. crassipes has a very strong impact on the environment, growing species with very high capacity multiplication, still little spread on the territory, difficult management as soon as the population becomes large (> 100 m2).
Uganda: abundant rare but when present.
French Polynesia: E. crassipes is mainly present in French Polynesia in the Society Islands and the Marquesas.
Senegal: abundant rare but when present.
Reunion: highly invasive species in coastal stretches of fresh water (pond Gol), often with Pistia stratioites. Apart from the ecological and human impact on aquatic freshwater environments, the evacuation of masses of hyacinth into the marine environment during heavy flood ponds, resulting in pollution of shores and neighboring lagoons but also vis-à-vis the risks of coastal navigation.
Tanzania: rare and scarce.

System Of Medicines Used In

Ayurveda, Siddha, Traditional chinese medicine

Medicinal : In Kedah (Java), the flowers are used for medicating the skin of horses. The species is a 'tonic. The roots of Eichhornia crassipes naturally absorb pollutants, including lead, mercury, and strontium-90, as well as some organic compounds believed to be carcinogenic, in concentrations 10,000 times that in the surrounding water.

Water treatment : Water hyacinths can be cultivated for waste water treatment.

Food : The plant is used as a carotene-rich table vegetable in Taiwan. Javanese sometimes cook and eat the green parts and inflorescence.

Animal feed : The plant is also used as animal feed

Other : It is used as organic fertilizer although there is controversy stemming from the high alkaline pH value of the fertilizer. Because of its extremely high rate of development, Eichhornia crassipes is an excellent source of biomass. One hectare of standing crop can thus produce more than 70,000 m3 of biogas. According to Curtis and Duke, one kg of dry matter can yield 370 liters of biogas, giving a heating value of 22,000 KJ/m3 (580 Btu/ft3) compared to pure methane (895 Btu/ft3). In East Africa, water hyacinth from Lake Victoria is used to make furniture, handbags and rope.