NOT WANTED.

Thames Star, Volume LIX, Issue 16800, 31 May 1926, Page 5

NOT WANTED.

A POISONOUS PLANT. WATER HYACINTH. Word has been received by the Department of Agriculture that water hyacinth (eichhornia speciosa), which belongs to a small family of waterplants, not in any way related to the true water lilies, is being introduced into the Waikato district, and there sold as an ornamental flower for growing in lakes and rivers. It has for many years been established on a small scale in several different parts of ithe North Island, and while in some cases but little trouble has arisen in others great regret is expressed that it was ever planted’.

Water hyacinth is a plant of extreme beauty, and it is natural enough that those who possess suitable sheets of water and who have not heard of its evil reputation as a weed in other countries, should look on it as a splendid acquisition.

Before water hyacinth is in any way encouraged or distributed about the country, however, it should be remembered by those concerned that it is a plant capable of growing on the surface of water, and, under favourable conditions of quickly covering large areas to the extent of making them impassable, even for steamers on large

open streams. Immense sums have been spent in the warmer parts of North America and Australia in keeping waterways free from the weed. While it is quite true that many parts of New Zealand are too cold for the plant —which it is reported cannot stand frost —it should be emphasised that so little is known at present about its behaviour here in a wild state that the wisdom of taking all possbile steps to prevent its further distribution must be obvious. The Department will be £lad to hear of any details, e.g., the presence of the plant in any locality and its behaviour there.