Water Hyacinth / Eichhornia crassipes, Nariva Swamp afternoon

In the afternoon of Day 6 of our trip to Trinidad & Tobago, 18 March 2017, my friends and I visited the Nariva Swamp on the east coast of Trinidad, which is mainly agricultural habitats with some wetlands. We had some good birding there and last night I posted photos of a few more of the birds we saw. We also saw a few interesting plants, especially the Sacred Lotus and these Water Hyacinths.

"The water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is an aquatic plant found in freshwater wetlands in T&T and the Americas. It floats on the water’s surface in thick mats and produces a beautiful lilac flower. While they cannot tolerate prolonged exposure to saltwater, large rafts of hyacinths often get washed out of rivers in Venezuela and onto the coast of Trinidad, sometimes transporting animals and plants from the mainland including anacondas. It has been introduced to many other parts of the world where it can become invasive." From the Trinidad & Tobago Field Naturalists.

An interesting, detailed article about this plant posted today, 15 May 2017, in Trinidad & Tobago Newsday.

www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,232369.html

"The Nariva Swamp is the largest freshwater wetland in Trinidad and Tobago and has been designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. The swamp is located on the east coast of Trinidad, immediately inland from the Manzanilla Bay through Biche and covers over 60 square kilometres (23 mi). The Nariva Swamp is extremely biodiverse. It is home to 45 mammal species, 39 reptile species, 33 fish species, 204 bird species, 19 frog species, 213 insect species and 15 mollusc species. All this contained in just 60 square kilometers.

The area provides important habitat for waterfowl and is key habitat for the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), caimans, anacondas, boa constrictors, red howler monkeys, white-fronted capuchin monkeys, numerous species of parrots, including both the blue-and-gold macaw and red-bellied macaws, as well as many wetland and savanna birds.

Four major wetland vegetation types occur in the Nariva Swamp - mangrove swamp forest, palm forest, swamp wood, and freshwater marsh." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nariva_Swamp

www.destinationtnt.com/nariva-swamp/