anchored waterhyacinth
(Eichhornia azurea)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Origin
Native to parts of Central and South America.
Appearance
Eichhornia azurea is a rooted, perennial aquatic plant.
Foliage
Leaves are alternate. Underwater leaves with no stalk. Emergent leaves are on a stalk. Stalk not inflated
Flowers
Showy, purple flowers born on stalks above the water. Flowers summer through fall. 7-50 flowers per stem.
Could be confused with:
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), also not native, but water hyacinth usually has bulbous (inflated) stems and is a floating plant.
Citation
Angelo, C., Cooley, H., Giardina, D., et al. 2019. Everglades CISMA: Early Detection, Rapid Response Plant Species. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) CISMA and Friends of Everglades CISMA. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/mura/ECISMA/assets/File/ECISMA_plantEDRR_.pdf
Native to parts of Central and South America.
Appearance
Eichhornia azurea is a rooted, perennial aquatic plant.
Foliage
Leaves are alternate. Underwater leaves with no stalk. Emergent leaves are on a stalk. Stalk not inflated
Flowers
Showy, purple flowers born on stalks above the water. Flowers summer through fall. 7-50 flowers per stem.
Could be confused with:
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), also not native, but water hyacinth usually has bulbous (inflated) stems and is a floating plant.
Citation
Angelo, C., Cooley, H., Giardina, D., et al. 2019. Everglades CISMA: Early Detection, Rapid Response Plant Species. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) CISMA and Friends of Everglades CISMA. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/mura/ECISMA/assets/File/ECISMA_plantEDRR_.pdf
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Federal Noxious Weeds
- Indiana Invasive Species Council - Invasive Plant List
- Indiana Pest Species
- Indiana Prohibited Plant Species
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources Policy: Restriction on Planting Exotic Invasive Plants
- Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
- Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- South Carolina Illegal Aquatic Plants
- South Carolina Plant Pest List
- Texas Noxious Weeds
- Treasure Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Mgmt. Area
- USDA APHIS Regulated Pest List
- Wisconsin Noxious Weeds
- Wisconsin's Invasive species rule – NR 40
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Lilianae |
| Order: Commelinales |
| Family: Pontederiaceae |
| Genus: Eichhornia |
| Eichhornia azurea |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.