East Indian hygrophila
Hygrophila polysperma
family
Acanthaceae
origin
Exotic
declaration
NIL
For information only
Common names
East Indian hygrophila, Dwarf hygrophila, East Indian swampweed, Green hygro, Hygro, Indian swamp weed, Indian water star, Miramar weed.
A submerged or emergent herbaceous aquatic plant. Its paired leaves are pale green or reddish in colour when submerged and bright green on emergent stems. Its stalkless tubular flowers borne in the leaf forks on the emergent stems. These tiny white, bluish or purplish flowers (5-9 mm long) are surrounded by two small hairy bracts. Its small narrow capsules (6-9 mm long) split lengthwise to release their minute seeds.
Impact
Impact
"East Indian hygrophila (Hygrophila polysperma) is regarded as an emerging environmental weed in Queensland and New South Wales. This species was first collected in Australia in August 2005 in the Caboolture River north of Brisbane. It was growing along the riverbank and in the water, both as a submerged aquatic and terrestrial plant. East Indian hygrophila (Hygrophila polysperma) is thought to have escaped cultivation as an aquarium plant and has since been found along the Tweed River and Clarence River in coastal northern New South Wales and along Enoggera Creek in suburban Brisbane., This species has the potential to become a serious weed of freshwater lakes, ponds and dams in eastern Australia. It prefers flowing water in warmer environments, but may also be found in slow moving waters and lakes. East Indian hygrophila (Hygrophila polysperma) is fast growing invasive plant that out-competes native aquatic plants. It can occupy the entire water column and also creates problems as an emergent plant along the margins of waterbodies."
Location
Location
Characteristics
Characteristics
Similar Species
Similar Species
"East Indian hygrophila (Hygrophila polysperma) is regarded as an emerging environmental weed in Queensland and New South Wales. This species was first collected in Australia in August 2005 in the Caboolture River north of Brisbane. It was growing along the riverbank and in the water, both as a submerged aquatic and terrestrial plant. East Indian hygrophila (Hygrophila polysperma) is thought to have escaped cultivation as an aquarium plant and has since been found along the Tweed River and Clarence River in coastal northern New South Wales and along Enoggera Creek in suburban Brisbane., This species has the potential to become a serious weed of freshwater lakes, ponds and dams in eastern Australia. It prefers flowing water in warmer environments, but may also be found in slow moving waters and lakes. East Indian hygrophila (Hygrophila polysperma) is fast growing invasive plant that out-competes native aquatic plants. It can occupy the entire water column and also creates problems as an emergent plant along the margins of waterbodies."
