All plants need water in some quantity in order to survive. However, aquatic plants are those that make a habitat of soil that is extremely damp or even the water itself. Littoral shelf maintenance Sarasota County FL involves growing aquatic plants native to Florida in these areas. Aquatic plants are categorized based on where and how they grow.
1. Floating-Leaved and Free-Floating Plants
A floating-leaved plant is one with one or more leaves that float on the surface of the water but a stem that extends down through the water and roots in sediments at the bottom. An iconic example of a floating-leaved plant is the water lily, but other examples native to Florida include the American lotus and the water shield.
However, there are also plants that require no soil and often no root but merely float on the surface of the water. These species tend to be very small. One of Florida’s native free-floating plant species is water meal, the smallest flowering plant in the world.
2. Emersed Plants
Much of the vegetative growth of an emersed plant extends up over the water level, but the roots are down in the shallows. An iconic example of an emersed aquatic plant is the cattail. Other examples include the bur marigold, the lemon Bacopa, and the lake hygrophilia. Unfortunately, native emersed plants in Florida often have to compete with invasive non-native species for resources.
3. Submersed Plants
Submersed plants are those that grow entirely or primarily below the surface of the water. Some are free-floating while others are rooted. In either case, they have vital roles to play in increasing the clarity of the water, stabilizing shorelines, and providing fish and wildlife habitats. Examples of submersed plants native to Florida include coontail and tape grass.
Not all non-native plant species are invasive. Nevertheless, it is important to preserve and protect native plant species because of their importance to the ecosystem.
