What is the definition of aquatic plants?
Plants that grow in water or on a substrate that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen as a result of excessive water content (saturated)
How are aquatic angiosperms defined?
- Ability to inhabit wet places
- Diverse assemblage of spp. with different adaptations
- Ecological tolerances
- Life histories that enable their survival in saturated or flooded soils
- Found in both lentic and lotic habitats
How are aquatic vascular plants are classified?
Based on their growth
What are the key characteristics of emergent angiosperms?
- Rooted in soil (nutrients)
- Basal part (roots) typically grow beneath the surface of the water
- Leaves, stems and reproductive organs are aerial
- Leaves and stems stiff
- Mostly herbaceous, but can be woody
- Marshes, lake shores, stream banks
- Outcompete floating-leaved and submerged plants
What are the most common emergent plant families?
-Monocotyledons - ( 1 cotyledon)
Poaceae (grass)
Typhaceae (Bulrush)
What are some examples of short fringing dicotyledon herbs?
- Alismataceae (water plantain)
- Araceae ( Arum spp.)
- Asteraceae (asters)
- Laminaceae (mint Lycopus spp, Mentha spp)
List some characteristics of submerged aquatic angiosperms.
- Entire life cycle under water- except flowers
- Most are rooted in substrate
- Nutrients from sediments
- Submerged plants take dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide from water column
- Dependent on water column for nutrients
- Stems and leaves soft
How do submerged aquatic angiosperms get pollinated?
Wind
Insects
Where can submerged aquatic angiosperms be found
Coastal, estuarine and freshwater habitats
What plant families are considered submerged aquatic angiosperms?
- Callitrichaceae (water starwort)
- Ceratophyllaceae (hornwort)
- Haloragaceae (water milfoil)
List the characteristics of Leaved Aquatic Angiosperms
- Float on surface
- Roots anchored in substrate
- Petioles connect leaves to the bottom
- Stomata on the aerial side of leaf
- Outcompete submerged species for light
- Flowers float
- Oval or cordata leaves with entire smooth margins to reduce tearing.
- Waterproof
