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Eichornia crassipes (Water
hyacinth)
Name
- Named after J A Fr. Eichhorn (1779-1856), Prussian Minister of Education. It
is commonly called water hyacinth. Crassipes means thick foot. Eichornia is pronounced
EYKH-horn-ee-a.
Description - A floating plant which can be grown
indoors or out. In a glass container you can see the attractive purple roots.
In summer dense spikes of pale blue, funnel shaped flowers are produced, hence
the common name.
Family - Pontederiaceae
Origin
- South America
Care Tips - Float them in soft water (filtered,
boiled and cooled or rainwater) and remove yellowing leaves and withered flowers
promptly. They obviously enjoy high humidity and temperatures should not fall
below 10°C (50°F). They like bright but filtered light. They are difficult
to propagate, so it is best to buy new plants, once they are past their best.
In
the tropics it is a weed, so unwanted houseplants should be disposed of responsibly
through composting. 
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