IT looks pretty, but Agriculture Victoria says it can devastate the region’s waterways.
The agency is urging Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang residents to report sightings of the state-prohibited weed, water hyacinth (eichhornia crassipes), following recent detections in the area.
Leading biosecurity officer Kaitlin Wright said despite its beauty, water hyacinth was one of the world’s worst aquatic weeds.
A single infestation can double in size in just two weeks, devastating natural waterways and impacting heavily on aquatic flora and fauna.
“Water hyacinth can be identified by its purple flower spikes in summer and thick, fleshy round leaves that sit on the water’s surface,” Ms Wright said.
“It has dark feathery roots that trail in the water below and one plant is capable of producing 3000 seeds in one season.”
The plant has been illegally sold at some regional markets and online in the past, and Agriculture Victoria was concerned that some residents might have innocently bought the plants for their fish tanks, ponds or dams.
Land owners of properties where infestations have recently been detected were unaware they had such a dangerous weed in their backyard until informed by biosecurity officers.
“It’s vital that people report any sightings of water hyacinth even if you purchased this plant without knowing it was such an invasive weed,” Ms Wright said.
“This will help us protect important waterways like the Murray River and Kerang wetlands.
“Please don’t try to control or dispose of the weed yourself, instead contact Agriculture Victoria, who will organise for the safe and secure disposal of plants, at no cost to the land owner.”
Anyone who has water hyacinth or has seen it offered for sale, should call 136 186 or report it to weed.spotters@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
