The water hyacinth could be identified by its distinct thick, waxy green leaves that has a rounded or elliptical shape.

[2] The hyacinth produces large blossoms with lavender blue petals and a yellow blotch at the center, the flower bearing great resembles with that of a lilac.

[5] In 1884, the anchored water hyacinth was introduced from South America to the United States as an ornamental.

In competition with other species for similar requirements in water surface area or bank rooting positions, E. azurea is extremely successful.

[4] This contributes to the decline of biodiversity as aquatic animals suffocate and die with the lack of dissolved oxygen and resources.

[9] Chemical control consists of herbicides and the one applied to water hyacinths are 2,4-D, Diquat and Glysophate which requires skilled operators.

Physical control is suited for large infestations only when large-scale mechanical aids are available for physically removing the weeds, but it is necessary in early stages of control of intense infestations that are already smothering large water surfaces, rendering the water anoxic.

There are many ways of harvesting the weeds and composting them to die, but they all demand that the plant material be removed from the water to avoid eutrophication.