Aquatic plants
2 Minutes
Aquatic plants for kids: learn about free floating, fixed rooted, and submerged water plants with real examples. A short science lesson in English.
- Free floating plants like water hyacinth with spongy leaves
- Fixed rooted plants like lotus and water lily with waxy leaves
- Submerged plants like hydrilla that stay completely underwater
What this lesson teaches
Aquatic plants, also known as water plants, are plants that grow inside water bodies such as lakes and ponds. Unlike land plants that grow in soil and are watered from above, aquatic plants are adapted to live floating on the surface of the water or living completely submerged beneath it.
How water plants differ from land plants
On land, people see trees that reduce air pollution, as well as creepers and other plants that give vegetables and fruits. Water plants grow directly in the water of lakes and ponds. These aquatic plants include free floating plants, fixed rooted plants, and submerged plants.
Free floating plants
- Free floating plants drift openly on top of the water surface.
- Their leaves are very spongy, which helps them stay afloat.
- Their roots do not need to attach to the ground, so they are not very big.
- Water hyacinth, called Aga Tamarai in Tamil, is a common example of a free floating plant.
Fixed rooted plants
Fixed rooted plants have long roots that grow downward and hold firmly onto the soil at the bottom. Their stalks or stems are hollow inside, shaped just like an open tube. The leaves have a wax coating that prevents water from sticking to them and protects them from insect bites. Lotus and water lily are familiar examples of fixed rooted plants.
Submerged plants
- Submerged plants live completely underwater rather than on the surface.
- Their stems are very thin, and their leaves are very small.
- These plants rely on their thin stems to breathe while underwater.
- Hydrilla and Vallisneria are two examples of submerged plants.