Real Dictionary

water hyacinth in British English
a floating aquatic plant, Eichornia crassipes, of tropical lakes and rivers, that grows so prolifically it often hinders the passage of boats
a South American aquatic plant (Eichhornia crassipes) of the pickerelweed family, with swollen petioles that float on water and spikes of showy lavender flowers: a pest that blocks water traffic in the S U.S., esp. Florida
noun: a floating aquatic plant, Eichhornia crassipes, of tropical America, having showy bluish-purple flowers and swollen leafstalks: family Pontederiaceae. It forms dense masses in rivers, ponds, etc, and is a serious problem in the southern US, Australia, and