4th Class Science Plants and Animals Aquatic Plants

Aquatic Plants

Category : 4th Class

Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants are those which live in or on the water. Aquatic plants are also called hydrophytic plants. These plants have evolved special features like air sacs for flotation, increased number of stomata, smaller feathery and specialized roots to take in oxygen. Aquatic plants are of three main types.

Floating Plants

These plants are like sponge. There are numbers of empty spaces throughout their body, which is filled with air. This makes the plant light enough to float in the water. For example, duckweed, water hyacinth.

Water Hyacinth

Fixed Plants

These plants have roots fixed to the mud at the bottom of the pond. They have thin, long, hollow and very flexible stem. The plants have broad and flat, plate like leaves with waxy coating on the surface. Stomata are found on the upper surface of the leaves. For example, water lilies and lotus.

Lotus Plant

Underwater Plants

These plants live and grow under water. Their roots fix the plant to the muddy soil. They have narrow thin leaves with no stomata. The leaves absorb carbon dioxide and oxygen directly through their surface. The stems are flexible and have air spaces. For example, tape grass, hydrilla and pond weed.