Page 59 - Viva ICSE Science 4 : E-book

Adaptations in Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants are the plants that grow in water. These plants can be further divided into

three types—fl oating plants, fi xed plants and underwater plants.

Floating plants

Floating plants are plants that fl oat freely on the surface of water. They do not have

fi xed roots, and thus, are not attached to the bottom of the waterbody. They show the
following adaptations.

• These plants have light and spongy stems fi lled with air,

which help them to fl oat on water.

• A waxy coating covers the leaves that prevents them from

decay.

• Water lettuce, duckweed and water hyacinth are some
fl oating aquatic plants. Water hyacinth

Fixed plants

Fixed plants have roots that are fi xed at the bottom in the mud under water. They show
the following adaptations.

• These plants have fl at and broad leaves that help them

fl oat on water surface.

• Leaves have waxy coatings that prevent them from rotting.

• Their stems are long, hollow, light and fl exible which help

them to bend easily with the fl ow of water.

• Their large fl oating leaves allow them to absorb more Water lily
sunlight to perform photosynthesis.

• Lotus and water lily are some fi xed aquatic plants.

Underwater plants

Underwater plants are the plants that grow under the surface of water. They are also

called submerged plants. They show the following adaptations.

• These plants have thin and ribbon-like narrow leaves with no stomata.

45