Victorian gardeners are urged to look out for a highly invasive weed, the water hyacinth, following a recent discovery in a residential garden pond.
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Agriculture Victoria biosecurity officer Kaitlin Wright said more than 90 of the aquatic plants had been removed from a Williamstown premises following an anonymous report from a gardener.
“Water hyacinth is considered one of the world’s most invasive plants because it grows so quickly and forms a thick mat on the water surface,” she said.
“It then reduces water quality, pushes out native plants, reduces oxygen, rapidly chokes waterways and blocks recreational activities such as fishing and boating.”
Water hyacinth is a state-prohibited weed in Victoria, meaning it is illegal to sell, place in a waterway or otherwise spread the weed.
Examples of the invasive water hyacinth.
Over the past year, water hyacinth has been reported in Bairnsdale, Warrnambool, Rutherglen and in multiple Melbourne suburbs.
Ms Wright said many home gardeners weren’t aware of the biosecurity risks associated with the plant.
“A single plant can produce more than 3000 seeds over summer, each of which can survive and plague a waterway for at least 30 years,” she said.
Ms Wright has warned gardeners not to remove water hyacinth themselves due to the risks posed by the plant parts or seeds being left behind.
“Please contact us on 136 186 if you’ve seen water hyacinth plants, or have them in your possession, and we will remove them at no cost to the owner,” she said.
“The earlier we can treat an infestation, the greater opportunity we have to protect our beautiful waterways from decades of damage by the destructive water weed.”
Water hyacinth has round, bulbous stems that help it float. Over summer it puts up stalks with multiple pale purple flowers, with purple roots below the water’s surface.
For more information about water hyacinth and invasive plant management, visit the Agriculture Victoria website at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au
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