This stoloniferous aquatic perennial has a tufted upright habit with slender fibrous roots. It has leathery rounded pale green leaves are swollen at the base and the pale violet blue funnel-shape flowers appear in a spike in during summer. 

Hardiness zones 9 to 11 

Eichhornia crassipes is naturally found in tropical South America growing in waterways. It prefers a nutrient rich deep wet silty loam that is organic rich in a open sunny position and is frost and drought tender.

Water Hyacinth is grown for its flowers and clumping habit. It is planted as a specimen in tropical ponds or used in conservatory water features. It establishes in one season and is suitable for coastal regions. It is commonly regarded as a weed and is not commonly cultivated for ornamental purposes. ID 2658

Eichhornia (eye-KOR-nee-ah) crassipes (KRAS-ee-pays) 

Pontederiaceae (PON-teh-DEH-ree-AY-see-ee)