AGRICULTURE Victoria (AV) has called for all Victorians to help protect the local food growing communities, biodiversity, gardens, lakes and places of cultural significance by helping to stop the sale of two of the world’s most invasive aquatic weeds.

AV High Risk Invasive Plants biosecurity manager, Angela Constantine said the ongoing illegal trade of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes or Pontederia crassipes) and salvinia (Salvinia molesta) is putting the state at risk.

“We’re running a campaign helping to raise awareness about the risks of these plants, as they can cause extensive damage by choking rivers, dams, lakes and irrigation channels,’ she said.

“The continued trade of these plants helps them to spread fast and once introduced to a new area, these weeds quickly cover waterways.”

Water hyacinth and salvinia are primarily spread by people buying and selling them to go in ornamental ponds, dams and aquariums, which Ms Constantine explained can be damaging.

“These weeds may look attractive, but their ability to quickly spread harms native plants and wildlife and reduces water quality for farming and recreation,” she said.

“It is illegal to buy, sell or give away water hyacinth or salvinia in Victoria, however in most cases home gardeners are unaware of the potential harmful impacts of these weeds.

“When you consider that one water hyacinth plant can produce more than 3000 seeds over summer, you can see how easily they can be spread from a backyard pond – they also have extensive root systems that can generate other plants too.

“The plants can be carried by birds to other waterways and once established, the infestations can be costly and hard to control.”

She also informed Victorians that water hyacinth is not the only aquatic weed to be concerned about.

“Salvinia, also known as ‘water spangles’, is equally invasive, and can cover an entire dam in just one season,” she said.

AV will safely treat, remove and dispose of state-prohibited weeds such as water hyacinth and salvinia, at no cost to the land holder.

Anyone who suspects to have water hyacinth or salvinia on their property is encouraged to take a photo of the plant and email it to weed.spotters@agriculture.vic.gov.au, or can make a report via the AV website www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/waterweeds