Aquatic plants can grow nearly anywhere there is water–along the edges, bottom or surface of lakes and ponds, in streams and rivers, in waterlogged soil and in flooded lands or meadows.
Aquatic plants can be found all over the world. Humans and birds have transmitted countless types of seeds, fruits and plants, spreading aquatic plant species.
Aquatic plants can have roots in the mud and submersed leaves, in the mud and floating leaves, or they can float entirely and not be connected to the bottom of the water.
Some examples of common aquatic plants are cattails, pondweed, skunk cabbage, horsetails, water lettuce, water hyacinth, water lilies, duckweeds, mosquito ferns and water marigolds.
Here are more types of aquatic plants. These each start with a link to a picture.
Algae are the oldest and most common type of aquatic plant. They are found primarily in the ocean and they have no roots, stems or leaves. Algae are extremely small but they are the basis of the ocean food chain. The picture is of seaweed.
Floating plants are not attached to the water’s bottom, but they have roots which absorb water. Floating plants can be found in fresh or salt water. The leaves of these plants are firm and remain flat in order to absorb more sunlight. Common examples of floating plants include various types of lilies. The picture is of a waterlily.
Submerged or submersed plants are rooted to the water’s floor and most of their vegetation is under water. The leaves of these plants are thin and narrow. The picture is of bog moss.
Emerged plants (also known as emersed) are rooted to the ground of the water but have most of their vegetation above water. These plants need constant exposure to sunlight. The picture is of knotweed.