The water hyacinth is a free-floating perennial herb of freshwater ecosystems. It is found at the surface of rivers, lakes, canals, and ponds and may root in the mud of shallow waters. It is generally 10-20 cm high but can reach 1 m high when established in dense mats. Water hyacinth is a rhizomatous and stoloniferous plant with long, pendant, and adventitious roots. The leaves arise from the rhizome nodes and stand above the water. They are dark green, ovate, and cordate at the base. The inflorescence bears 8-10 pale violet or blue lily-like flowers.

Water hyacinth is a major environmental concern in many countries. It quickly invades large water areas, due to a high rate of vegetative propagation, and forms dense mats that obstruct waterways. Harnessing its considerable productivity is considered as a sustainable and possibly less expensive method of control. Today, it is considered an eco-friendly choice for handicrafts.

The production process happens in three stages, raw material processing, product making, and finished processing. All of the water hyacinth production is 100% handwoven. It cannot be woven by machine.

Water hyacinth is a very versatile material. Even though water hyacinth is a very short material, it is able to be woven in a variety of weaves and in a variety of ways: woven on a metal frame or woven without a frame.

The water hyacinth material can be left in its natural color, dyed, or painted in a variety of shapes and forms. The attribute of water hyacinth is that it can be dyed in a variety of colors, it also can be mixed with other materials.

Water hyacinth is a wonderful material that can be used in a variety of ways and in a variety of finishes. When finished it gives an array of natural looks and has a very soft feel for the overall product.

References: https://www.feedipedia.org/node/160