Water Hyacinth

Abstract

This paper is a review of literature of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes); what it is, why it is of scientific importance, problems it causes, how it can be controlled, and how it can be a source of livelihoods. The review has shown that water hyacinth is native to the Amazon Basin and one of the world's most noxious aquatic weed. Lack of natural enemies together with nutrient enriched water bodies facilitate the spread of water hyacinth in temperate, tropical and sub-tropical waters. The weed causes a variety of socio-economic and environmental problems when its rapid mat-like proliferation covers areas of fresh water. With regards to its control, the mechanical method is the most cost-effective, followed by the biological, manual and chemical methods. Regardless of its problems, water hyacinth has been found to be useful for industrial, agricultural, household and environmental purposes.