September 11, 2018

Location: Lake Okechobee

This is known as Water Hyacinth
It's an invasive exotic and somewhat evil
But insect bio-controls can help -
There's been some success with water hyacinth weevils.

Sources: UF | IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants -  Eichhornia crassipes

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 18, 2018

Location: Fellsmere, Blue Cypress Conservation Area

This is a Water Hyacinth
Although it pretty to see
The problem is that it's invasive
And one quickly becomes many.

In just one acre of water,
Over two hundred tons of these plants can grow
The only thing that can defeat it
Is weather that gets very cold.

Sources: UF|IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants - Eichhornia crassipes

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson