Flower Guide
All You Need to Know About Aquatic Plants: Types of Water Plants
Not all of you may be familiar with aquatic plants. Some of you may have seen an aquatic plant at least once in your life, especially if you are the type to look inside fish tanks or someone who enjoys nature. Now, let our florist and garden expert share with you some insides. It is quite easy and simple to spot an aquatic plant if you know what you are looking at that is. The most common type would be something you have surely stumbled upon on your trips to the beach, and, yes, its seaweed. Before you read more about this aquatic plant you must first learn about these plants in general.
Aquatic plants are plants that can be found in any freshwater or saltwater environment. It could be a home aquarium, a small fish tank, pond, lake, ocean and so on. They can live above the water or fully submerged in it, and even in between. The main concept for these plants is that they naturally thrive and prosper in wet environments.
- Characteristics of Aquatic Plants
Aquatic plants can vary in characteristics depending on what type they are. But most of them remain the same. Aquatic plants tend to have support tissues that help them to stay afloat naturally. They also do not concern themselves with water loss because they are constantly surrounded by it. These are just some characteristics that are similar to all types of aquatic plants. Some of the differences are:
- For Submerged plants
- They do not have a cuticle layer to avoid dryness
- They lack xylem since their leaves do all the work
- Their leaves rarely have stomata
- For Emersed plants
- The roots of these plants are located underwater but their leaves usually grow upwards and stick out of the water to have access to the air and sun.
- Free- floating
- A common plant of this kind is the water lilies. They have leaves that float on the surface of the water instead of sticking out of it like emersed plants.
- Benefits
Aquatic plants have benefits to their environments. They do not only serve as decorations for fish tanks or a place where frogs can rest, but they are extremely important to the aquatic environment.
Some of the benefits that they contribute are:
- They filter the water. Just like Mangroves.
- Act as food and Shelter
- Prevent undesirable plants, who can be harmful to the environment, from growing.
They also help our shores fight against aggressive erosions and currents.
- Types of Aquatic Plants
Now that you know what Aquatic plants are and how they benefit us as a society, it is time to know what and which are aquatic plants that you can find. Below is a list of the different types of aquatic plants depending on where they grow and where they can be found.
- Fish Tank / Aquarium Aquatic Plants
- The popular aquatic plants of these types are water hyacinths, anubias and java moss. It does not matter if it is a small aquarium or a big one, you can definitely find one or two of these plants inside. They not only help clean the water and absorb harmful face to keep the ecosystem of the aquarium inhabitants safe, but they also add to the aesthetics of the fish tank. These plants can spice up any fish tank or aquarium.
- Ocean Aquatic Plants
– It is time to go back to the seaweed. There are many benefits of aquatic plants in the ocean aside from cleaning the ocean and providing food to the aquatic animals. These plants can also serve as homes for them.
- Ponds or Lakes Aquatic Plants
– The most familiar plant for this type are the water lilies. These plants are also called nymphaea ororata. They are not only beautiful to look at, but they also provide shade for the aquatic animals under the water. They keep the water clean and provide a nice place for frogs to jump around or kick back and relax.
Another plant in this type is the Lotus. They look almost similar to water lilies and are often mistaken for them. It is considered as one of the most beautiful aquatic plants one can find but cannot often thrive and grow in cold weather.
The last of this type of aquatic plant is the Arrow Arum. They provide food for ducks and usually grow on shallow waters.
There are many types of aquatic plants that you can find all over the world. It is always important to keep in mind the importance of these plants and the benefits they have to the environment and the creatures that need them to survive. If you are someone who keeps aquatic plants or has ponds and lakes around the house, make sure to help these plants thrive and survive in their environment. You would be helping more than yourself. You can always research on a plant if you find one and are not sure how to take care of it. The benefits of these plants are more important than taking them out of their environment to show them off.
Aquatic plants may not be as famous as other types of plants and flowers but they are beautiful all the same with added benefits that slowly and surely help make the world a better place to live in.
