It has been introduced into many other areas including the Gulf Coast of North America with devasting effects. Water hyacinth reproduces rapidly clogging waterways from Florida to Texas, making boating impossible, causing flooding and crowding native plants. As a result many jurisdictions ban its possession. On the other hand, it is a heavy feeder and is used extensively in water treatment systems.
Water hyacinth grows as a floating rosette with fleshy light green leaves.
From the base of the rosette of leaves grows a thick root system with many fine feeder roots. The flowers last two to three days before fading. The plant usually reproduces asexually by means of tillers or runners that terminate to form new rosettes. This plant tolerates pHs from 6.5 to 8.5. Water hyacinth cannot tolerate hard freezes, although it survives light freezes with damage.