Metabolism of free-floating water plants depends largely on the water quality, i.e., substances in water. An experiment was undertaken to determine whether Eichornia crassipes SOLMS was useful as an indicator of water pollution with heavy metals or not. The plants were cultivated in nutrient solutions containing graded levels of cadmium, and the growing state, accumulation of cadmium, etc., were examined. Cadmium content in the plants increased with increasing amount of cadmium added to the nutrient culture solution. Total content of cadmium in the roots and leaves by adsorption and absorption reached 331-2420μg and 20.5-1010μg/g dry weight, respectively. The plant also showed an increase in heavy metals content when it was cultured in natural water and industrial waste water containing heavy metals.