Aquatic plants
Aquatic plants
Aquatic plants (pronunciation: /əˈkwætɪk plɑːnts/), also known as hydrophytes or macrophytes, are plants that have adapted to living in or on aquatic environments. Because they are immersed in water, they typically require special adaptations for living submerged in water, or at the water's surface.
Etymology
The term "aquatic" comes from the Latin word aquaticus, meaning "water", and "plant" comes from the Old English plante meaning "young tree or shrub".
Types of Aquatic Plants
Aquatic plants can be categorized into three main types:
- Emergent Plants: These plants are rooted in the soil but their leaves and stems are above the water surface. Examples include cattails and bulrushes.
- Submerged Plants: These plants are completely under the water, including the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. Examples include seaweeds and eelgrass.
- Floating Plants: These plants float on the water surface with their roots not attached to the bottom. Examples include water hyacinth and duckweed.
Importance of Aquatic Plants
Aquatic plants play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy water environment. They provide oxygen for fish and other aquatic organisms, prevent erosion by stabilizing the soil, and serve as food and habitat for many aquatic species.
Related Terms
- Algae: Simple, non-flowering, and typically aquatic plants of a large group that includes the seaweeds and many single-celled forms.
- Wetland: A land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, and it takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem.
- Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the aid of chlorophyll.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Aquatic plants
- Wikipedia's article - Aquatic plants
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