Water Hyacinth is a free-floating aquatic plant native to tropical South America that has become naturalized across the southern United States. It bears beautiful lavender-blue flowers with yellow-spotted upper petals and inflated, spongy leaf stalks that keep it afloat. While it is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth and can double in area in two weeks, it also forms dense mats that block sunlight, deplete oxygen, and impede boat navigation. It is considered invasive in many US states.
Best time to see a Water Hyacinth
The best time to see a Water Hyacinth is May–October, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 10,362 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Water Hyacinth? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Water Hyacinth sightings near you
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