All over the world there are thousands of rivers, lakes and swamps, the vegetation of which impresses with its diversity. However, some plants can exist not only above the surface of the water, but also under it. All plants of freshwater reservoirs are unique, but despite the fact that for most of them it is still characteristic to grow in certain types of reservoirs, there are also varieties that feel great in any fresh water.
An example is the usual shamrock, which is a valuable medicinal plant. Its petioles begin to grow directly from the root, while each of them is crowned with three large leaves. At the same time, leaves are completely absent on the stem itself, but its top is crowned by a brush of small pale pink, almost white flowers resembling asterisks in their shape.
The most common plants in freshwater
Fresh water plants, the names of which are indicated in this article, grow almost everywhere, but they have many individual characteristics. As an example, we can cite plants that can be seen almost everywhere where there is fresh water - these are reeds, cattail and reeds.
They like to grow in thickets and have many similar features, due to which they are often confused with each other, although they belong to different families. First of all, these are the stems, which in these plants are tall and straight. In some cases, they can even reach 6-9 meters, but this is where their similarity ends. In reeds, almost no leaves are observed on the stem; in cattail, the leaves begin to twist in a helical form from the base. In addition, the ear of a cattail is long and velvety, in contrast to the reed, which is characterized by a fluffy panicle.
Practical benefit
For plants such as reeds, cattails and reeds, accelerated growth is characteristic, due to which their number increases so much that they completely capture significant water areas, gradually emptying them. Largely due to the fact that people from ancient times adapted plants of fresh water bodies for various household needs, in particular, for covering roofs, weaving baskets, bags, mats and even ropes, the sources of fresh water practically do not dry out. The remaining plants simply do not have time to absorb all the moisture and drain the source.
Marshland
In order to find out which freshwater plants are characteristic of your area, it is enough to carefully study the sources closest to you. For example, sedge grass, which has more than 1000 different species around the world, is most widespread in marshy areas. Nevertheless, in the structure of each of them there are similar features, among which there is a trihedral stem with a dense structure, while long, grooved leaves pointed to the end extend from each face. A similar leaf structure can be observed in most cereal crops.
The second most widespread and most similar in appearance to the sedge plant is the chythorn. It also grows in swamps, but for this grass, unlike sedge, the round structure of the stem is characteristic . In addition, due to the fact that the stem of the chintel is thinner and branching, the leaves, preserving a similar structure, are still much narrower than the sedge and, having seen these two plants nearby, it will be difficult to mix them in the future.
Rivers and lakes
Fresh water plants, which are characteristic of river and lake areas, are primarily visible on the banks. First of all, this is characteristic of the flowers of the iris, outwardly similar to the usual garden iris. In addition to them, in the coastal zone no less common placun grass can grow, whose purple inflorescences resembling an ear immediately catch your eye. Her leaves are similar to willow, but they are characterized by special cracks, due to which the excess moisture that the plant absorbs is easily removed outside.
Poisonous representatives
However, it should be borne in mind that not all plants of fresh water bodies are harmless, because among them there are also poisonous representatives, among which the most common are chastochka and arrowhead. Moreover, the appearance of their leaves is directly related to their habitat. In the event that these plants grow immersed in water, the leaves will resemble a ribbon in their shape. If they are located on the surface of the water, then they are held on it with the help of an underwater petiole and a special floating plate. In addition, being on the surface, the leaves of the arrowhead take the form of arrows and begin to fully correspond to their name. Unlike the chastuha, which is completely poisonous, people adapted the arrowhead tubers for food.
Freshwater plants characteristic of marshy areas are buttercups that also differ in leaf shape, which can be either floating or located under water. Moreover, despite the fact that they can be found in other freshwater sources, all buttercups, without exception, are poisonous plants. The most dangerous for humans are:
- poisonous buttercup;
- acne buttercup - forms abscesses on the skin.
In addition, one of the most poisonous plants of the modern flora, the cycut, which grows exclusively in marshy areas, can be classified as poisonous plants that are found in freshwater bodies of water.
The beauty of freshwater plants
Fresh water plants, photos of which can be seen in this article, continue to amaze with their beauty. For example, seeing a white water lily in a pond , few will remain indifferent to its grace. Her flowers are large, large.
Opening up at sunrise, they close only at sunset. Among the people, the water lily received several names at once, among which the most famous are white lily and water rose. Its leaves above the water are large, large. They are characterized by the presence of a large number of air cavities, however, the underwater leaves in her outwardly resemble ribbons. Often in freshwater ponds you can find no less beautiful yellow water lily.
Freshwater plants and animals are unique and need constant protection. Due to constantly changing climatic conditions, some of them are on the verge of extinction, while the rest have significantly reduced their population. The only exception can be considered amphibian buckwheat, which, in case of drying of the reservoir, discards water leaves and grows new ones characteristic of a land plant.
However, in contrast to amphibian buckwheat, one can cite the example of rhestus, which grows exclusively at great depths and is a favorite place for most fish to lay eggs. It is imported into some import farms specifically in order to significantly increase the fish population.
A person should do his best to maintain the ecological situation of freshwater reservoirs, reducing harmful emissions not only to water sources, but also to the atmosphere, and also, as far as possible, reduce the population of various plants that reduce the moisture content in water bodies and ultimately lead to their complete drainage.