WATER HYACINTH.
A BEAUTIFUL MENAGE.
' -Ward has been received by the Department of Agriculture that this plant—which belongs to a small family of water plants, not in any way related to the true water- lilies--is being introduced into the Waikato district and there sold as an ornamental flower for growing in lakes and rivers. It has for may years been established on a small scale in several different parts of the North Island and while in some cases but little trouble has arisen, in ' others great regret is expressed that it was ever planted. Water Hyacinth is a plant of extreme beauty and it is natural enough that those who possess suitable sheets of water and who have not heard of its evil reputation as a weed in other countries, should look on it as a splendid acquisition. Before Water Hyacinth is in any way encouraged or distributed about the country, however, it should be remembered by those concerned that it is a plant capable of growing on me surface of water and under favourable conditions of quickly sovering large areas to the extent of making them impassible, even for steamers on large open streams.- Immense sums have been spent in the warmer parts of North America and Australia in keeping waterways free from the weed. While it is quite true that many parts of New Zealand are too cold for the plant—which it is reported cannot stand frost—it should be emphasised that so little is known at present about its behaviour here in a wild state, that the wisdom of taking all possible steps to prevent its further distribution must be obvious.
The Department will be glad to hear of any details, e.g., the presence rt the plant in any locality and its behaviour there.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SNEWS19260604.2.20
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Shannon News, 4 June 1926, Page 3
Word count
Tapeke kupu
296WATER HYACINTH. Shannon News, 4 June 1926, Page 3
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Copyright undetermined – untraced rights owner. For advice on reproduction of material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.