subject: Adding Aquatic Plants to Add Sophistication to A Pond [print this page] Adding Aquatic Plants to Add Sophistication to A Pond
Aquatic plants are considered as a part of decoration for ponds and lakes. Every time we see lakes and ponds, we will see aquatic plants at the same time. Their existence gives a unique look to the whole view of the lakes and ponds.
Many species of aquatic plants live in freshwater habitats around the world. They grow on the water surface, along the edges, at the bottom of lakes and ponds, in flowing water of rivers and streams, etc. All of these species are spread around the world, so you can see them anywhere you go. That distribution is indirectly caused by humans who bring the seeds from one area to another, and also by birds.
Aquatic plants are best known for their beautiful flowers and leaves. When you go to a park, you may see beautiful water lilies with their large leaves cover the surface of a pond or a lake. There are three kinds of aquatic plant leaves you may not recognize. Here, I am going to provide you a little information about each type, complete with some examples of the plants.
The first is floating leaves, with large and round shape as what water lilies have. They are usually flat, so they can take the sun light as much as they need. They function as a shelter for all creatures living in a pond or a lake. The plants which have this kind of leaf is water lily, floating heart, pondweed, cape-pondweed, yellow pond-lily, Victorian water lily, and water-chestnut.
The second type is submerged leaves which are very thin and narrow. They receive low light since the light decreases in its effort to pass through the water. The light is also mostly taken by the floating leaves before reaching the lower surface. If the water clear enough, you can see them waving and dancing when some streams run. If you like this kind of plants, you can choose elodea, hornwort, parrot's feather, mare's tail, quill-wort, ditch-grass, etc.
The last type is emerged leaves which may be familiar for you since the leaves are emergent from the water. It is because they need much light. Cattails, buttercups, sacred lotus, wetland irises, skunk-cabbage, lizard's tail, and sacred lotus are some examples of this type of plant.
