This document classifies and describes different types of hydrophytes: 1. Submerged hydrophytes that grow entirely below the water surface, including submerged floating plants like Ceratophyllum that are not rooted and rooted plants like Hydrilla. 2. Floating hydrophytes that float on or just below the water surface, including free-floating plants like Pistia and rooted plants like Nymphaea whose petioles are suspended in water. 3. Rooted emergent hydrophytes like Sgittaria and Marsilea that are adapted to both aquatic and terrestrial environments, with shoots growing above the water and roots fixed in muddy soil below.

1. HYDROPHYTES

2. Dr. B. KARUNAI SELVI
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BOTANY
V.V.VANNIAPERUMAL COLLEGE FOR WOMEN
VIRUDHUNAGAR- 626 001
TAMIL NADU, INDIA
karunaiselvi@vvvcollege.org
Hydrophytes

3. In relation to water, soil and air the
hydrophytes are grouped into
1. Submerged hydrophytes
2. Floating hydrophytes
3. Amphibious hydrophytes
HYDROPHYTES - CLASSIFICATION

4. 1. Submerged hydrophytes
Submerged hydrophytes are
• Plants which grow below the water surface.
• They not have contact with atmosphere.
• They have contact only with water.
• They may be free floating and / or rooted.
• Submerged hydrophytes are two different types, They
are
• Submerged floating hydrophytes
• Rooted hydrophytes

5.  They are non- rooted
plants suspended in water.
 They are not – having
contact with soil and
water.
 Generally they are devoid
of roots.
 (eg.) Ceratophyllum ,
Utricularia
Submerged floating hydrophytes Ceratophyllum

6.  These plants have roots.
 Grow entirely under water.
 Root system is poorly
developed.
 Leaves are small scale like
or ribbon like.
 Roots absorb nutrients
from soil.
 (eg.) Hydrilla ,Vallisnaria
Rooted hydrophytes: Vallisnaria

7. C.S. of Hydrilla Stem
Under
compound
Microscope
Section
taken by III
B.Sc.,
Zoology
Students

8. C.S. of Hydrilla Stem
Diagramatic
representation of
cross section of
Hydrilla stem
By
Ms. V.
Jeyalakshmi,
III B.Sc. Zoology,
VVV College,
Virudhunagar

9. 2. Floating hydrophytes
 These plants float on the water surface or slightly
below the water surface.
 They have contact with both water and air.
 Floating hydrophytes are two different types:
 Free floating hydrophytes
 Rooted floating hydrophytes

10.  These plants float freely on
the water surface.
 They are not rooted on the
mud.
 They have contact with water
and air.
 They have roots, roots hairs
and root pockets.
 (eg.) Eicchornia, Pistia
a) Free floating hydrophytes Pistia

11.  Roots are fixed in a mud.
 But leaves and flowers
float on the water surface.
 Petioles are long and
suspended in water.
 Stem maybe either
rhizome or stolen
 (eg.) Nymphaea.
b) Rooted floating hydrophytes:

12. 3. Rooted emergent hydrophytes
 These plants are adapted to both aquatic and terrestrial
modes of life.
 They grow in shallow water or on muddy substratum.
 Shoots grow and extend above the surface of water.
 Roots are fixed in muddy soil.
 Submerged parts have hydrophytic character.
 Exposed parts have mesophytic or xerophytic
character.
 These are called amphibious hydrophytes.
 (eg) Sgittaria, Marsilea

13. Rooted emergent hydrophytes
Sgittaria Marsilea

14. References
 https://www.plantsrescue.com/ceratophyllum-
demersum/
 https://www.pondplantsonline.com/products/va
llisneria-vallisneria-
americana?variant=7621583109
 https://www.colourbox.com/image/beautiful-
pink-water-lily-image-13932261
 https://www.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/5187
617361