Eichhornia crassipes

Species category

Weed

Common name

common water hyacinth

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Cylindrical

Size

  • Length 1.3–1.7 mm
  • Width 0.7–0.9 mm
  • Thickness 0.7–0.9 mm

Color

Brown

Texture

ScurfyScurf:
Having flakes on the surface.

Other structures

Ribs are longitudinal and narrow. Seed pointed at the basalBasal:
The base of the fruit or seed opposite the apical end.
end.

Identification notes

Ribs are thin and scurfyScurf:
Having flakes on the surface.
.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Arizona

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Pontederiaceae

Valid name

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms

Synonyms

Eichhornia speciosa Kunth
Piaropus crassipes (Mart.) Raf.

 Eichhornia crassipes.  Seeds with thin and scurfy ribs and a pointed basal end. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Eichhornia crassipes. Seeds with thin and scurfy ribs and a pointed basal end. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Eichhornia crassipes.  Seeds with thin and scurfy ribs. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Eichhornia crassipes. Seeds with thin and scurfy ribs. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.