Amazon Weed Found in Santa Barbara County
The troublesome water hyacinth, an aquatic weed, has been discovered in Santa Barbara County for the first time.
Biologists found the noxious weed during a survey of Carpinteria Creek, and several dozen plants were removed.
Water hyacinth is popular in garden ponds because of its purple flowers and glossy leaves.
But the plant, which is native to the Amazon basin, is regarded as one of the most destructive weeds in the world.
It forms dense mats up to 6 feet thick that stop oxygen and sunlight from getting into water, chokes out other plants, clogs pumps and blocks the passage of boats and waterfowl.
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