Kochuripana, Water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes

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Kochuripana or Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes, family: Pontederiaceae) is an aquatic plant with short stem and is native to tropical and sub-tropical South America. It may rise above the surface of the water as much as 1 meter in height. The free-floating perennial is found in the rivers, canals and ditches in Bangladesh.


Common names: Water hyacinth, Floating water hyacinth, Lilac devil, Nile lily, Water orchid, Water violet.


Broad, thick, glossy leaves are ovate or rhomboid, glabrous, 10-20 cm across, that come out from the stem. Root is fibrous, freely hanging, purple-black in color.


Inflorescence is long and erect, bears of 8-15 conspicuously attractive flowers with six mauve or purple-colored petals (each up to 4 cm long), mostly painted with yellow and violet colors. 

In Bangladesh, it is regarded as the most troublesome aquatic weed to crops and water-transportation. Some parts of the plant, especially the green parts and flowers are eaten as vegetable in Southeast Asia. The aquatic plant is also used as animal feed.

 
The plant is very useful to make furniture, handbags, rope, paper, mat and different kinds of household products. The plant is propagated by rhizome.

Comments

  1. ArkolegendMay 23, 2024 at 7:29 AM

    This is an invasive species, not a native species. That's why it's destroying the ecosystem like sucker fish.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Martin EvanJune 26, 2024 at 11:56 PM

    Thankss for writing this

    ReplyDelete

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