Aquatic weeds really are in a class all their own. They are uniquely difficult to control because of the physical and chemical restrictions of working in waterways. Changes to our waterways (particularly due to run-off from agricultural and urban landscapes, and clearing of natural vegetation) mean that once aquatic weeds become established, they can run rampant.
Aquatic weeds also have an excessive impact on the environments they invade. Blocking light and oxygen from the waterways they cover and physically impeding water flow, they can lead to the death of native water bugs, fish and native vegetation, devastating aquatic ecosystems.
Given conducive environmental conditions, aquatic weeds can spread to choke water bodies in an astonishingly short period of time.
For more information on any weed, click on its name.
Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).
Shown below are three attractive native aquatic species, beneficial to waterways, wildlife and the local environment. Click on the botanical names for more information. Left to right: Water Snowflake (Nymphoides indica), Entire Marshwort (Nymphoides geminata),Native Water lily (Nymphaea violacea).