All over the world there are thousands of rivers, lakes and swamps, the vegetation in which impresses with its diversity. At the same time, some plants can exist not only above the surface of the water, but also below it. All freshwater plants are unique, but although most of them still tend to grow in certain types of water, there are also varieties that thrive in any fresh water.
An example is the common 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, the leaves are completely absent on the stem itself, but its top is crowned with a brush of small pale pink, almost white flowers, resembling stars in their shape.
The most common freshwater plants
Plants freshreservoirs, 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 anywhere where there is fresh water - these are reeds, cattails and reeds.
They like to grow in thickets and have many similarities, 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, there are practically no leaves on the stem; in cattail, the leaves begin to twist in a helical shape already from the base. In addition, the cob of cattail is long and velvety, unlike reed, which is characterized by a fluffy panicle.
Practical use
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 devastating them. Largely due to the fact that since ancient times people have adapted the plants of fresh water bodies for various household needs, in particular, for covering roofs, weaving baskets, bags, mats and even ropes, fresh water sources practically do not dry up. The remaining plants simply do not have time to absorb all the moisture and dry up the source.
Wetlands
To find out which plantsfresh water reservoirs are typical for 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, has become most widespread in the swampy area. Nevertheless, in the structure of each of them there are similar features, among which is a trihedral stem with a dense structure, while long, grooved leaves, pointed at the end, depart from each face. A similar leaf structure can be observed in most cereal crops.
The second most common and most similar in appearance to the sedge plant is the rush. It also grows in swamps, but this grass, unlike sedge, is characterized by a round stem structure. In addition, due to the fact that the stem of the rush is thinner and branches, the leaves, while maintaining a similar structure, are still much narrower than those of the sedge and, seeing these two plants side by side, it will be quite difficult to confuse them in the future.
Rivers and lakes
Plants of fresh water bodies, which are typical for river and lake areas, are primarily noticeable on the banks. First of all, this is typical for the flowers of the iris, outwardly similar to the usual garden iris. In addition to them, the no less common plakun-grass can grow in the coastal zone, whose purple inflorescences, resembling an ear, immediately catch the eye. Its leaves are similar to willow, but they are characterized by special slots, thanks to which the excess moisture that the plant absorbs is easily removed.
Poisonous representatives
However, it should be borne in mind that not all plants of fresh water are harmless, because among them there are also poisonous representatives, among which the most common are chastuha 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 ribbons 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, while on the surface, the leaves of the arrowhead take the form of arrows and begin to fully correspond to their name. Unlike Chastukha, which is completely poisonous, people have adapted arrowhead tubers for food.
Plants of freshwater reservoirs, characteristic of the swampy area, are buttercups, which also differ in the shape of leaves, which can be both floating and located under water. At the same time, 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;
- buttercup-pimple - forms abscesses on the skin.
In addition, one of the most poisonous plants of modern flora, hemlock, which grows exclusively in swampy areas, can be attributed to the category of poisonous plants that are found in freshwater reservoirs.
The beauty of freshwater plants
Plantsfresh water bodies, 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 people will remain indifferent to its grace. Her flowers are large, large.
Opening at sunrise, they close only at sunset. Among the people, the water lily received several names at once, among which the most famous are the white lily and the water rose. Its leaves, which are above the water, are large, large. They are characterized by the presence of a large number of air cavities, but its underwater leaves look like ribbons. Often on freshwater reservoirs you can also find an equally beautiful yellow water lily.
Plants and animals of fresh water 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 amphibious buckwheat, which, in the event of a reservoir drying up, sheds water leaves and grows new ones characteristic of a land plant.
However, in contrast to the amphibian buckwheat, the example is pondweed, which grows exclusively at great depths and is a favorite spawning ground for most fish. It is imported to some import farms specifically in order to significantly increase the fish population.
Man should do his best to maintain the ecologic althe situation of freshwater reservoirs, reducing harmful emissions not only into water sources, but also into the atmosphere, and also, as far as possible, reduce the population of various plants that reduce the moisture content in reservoirs and ultimately lead to their complete drainage.
