General News
1 May, 2023
Watch out for illegal water hyacinth
Victorians should be on the look out for the highly invasive and illegal weed, water hyacinth, according to Agriculture Victoria following a recent discovery in a garden pond. Water hyacinth is a prohibited weed in Victoria — which means it’s...
Victorians should be on the look out for the highly invasive and illegal weed, water hyacinth, according to Agriculture Victoria following a recent discovery in a garden pond.
Water hyacinth is a prohibited weed in Victoria — which means it’s illegal to sell, place in a waterway or otherwise spread it, however over the past 12 months the weed has been reported in Bairnsdale, Warrnambool, Rutherglen and multiple Melbourne suburbs.
Agriculture Victoria biosecurity officer Kaitlin Wright said over 90 of the aquatic plants had been removed from a Williamstown premises following an anonymous report from a gardener.
“Water hyacinth is considered one of the world’s most invasive plants because it grows so quickly and forms a thick mat on the water surface,” she said.
“It then reduces water quality, pushes out native plants, reduces oxygen (killing fish), rapidly chokes waterways and blocks recreational activities such as fishing and boating.
“Many home gardeners aren’t aware of the biosecurity risks associated with this environmentally destructive plant, so we’re always really grateful to members of the public for reporting sightings.
“A single plant can produce more than 3000 seeds over summer, each of which can survive and plague a waterway for at least 30 years.”
Ms Wright said gardeners should not remove water hyacinth themselves due to the risks posed by plant parts or seed being left behind.
“Please contact us if you’ve seen water hyacinth plants, or have them in your possession, and we will remove them at no cost to the owner,” Ms Wright said.
“The earlier we can treat an infestation, the greater opportunity we have to protect our beautiful waterways from decades of damage by the destructive water weed.”
Water hyacinth has round, bulbous stems that help it float. Over summer it puts up stalks with multiple pale purple flowers. Below the water’s surface, it has long, trailing dark purple roots.
For more information about water hyacinth and invasive plant management visit the Agriculture Victoria website at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au or call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.