water hyacinth

American  

noun

1. a floating aquatic plant, Eichornia crassipes, of tropical lakes and rivers, that grows so prolifically it often hinders the passage of boats.

---

water hyacinth British  

noun

1. a floating aquatic plant, Eichhornia crassipes, of tropical America, having showy bluish-purple flowers and swollen leafstalks: family Pontederiaceae. It forms dense masses in rivers, ponds, etc, and is a serious problem in the southern US, Australia, and parts of Africa

---

Etymology

Origin of water hyacinth

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The estuary already has a long list of non-native species, including bass, water hyacinth, Asian clams and overbite clams.

From Los Angeles Times

He cuts the stems of water hyacinths in the lake near his house, lets the pile stew in the sun, and shapes it into long, wide seedbeds on top of the water.

From New York Times

Now, the visitors are greeted to the sight of boats stuck in a sea of invasive green water hyacinth weed.

From Reuters

She added Crate & Barrel’s whitewashed water hyacinth place mat.

From Washington Post

"Hippos probably would not have put a dent in the water hyacinth problem," Massimi told Salon.

From Salon