Ornamental Fish Production and Management

6.1.2 Types of plants

1. Floating plants :

Plants have their foliage (leaves) above the surface of water with roots hanging free. Ex. Eicchornia, Pistia, Spirodela, Lemna, Azolla, Wolffia, Salvinia, Riccia sp.

2. Emergent plants :

Plants having their leaves and flowers above the water surface but rooted in the bottom. Ex. Nymphaea, Nelumbo, Nymphoides.

3. Submerged plants :

Leaves are submerged in the water, may or may not be rooted. Ex. Hydrilla, Ceratophylum, Myriophylum, Ottelia, Bacopa, Ludwigia, Saggitaria, Aponogeton, Cabomba, Limnophila, Ceratopteris.

Rooted plants : Hydrilla, Najas, Ottelia, Vallisneria, Potomogeton, Lagarosiphon, Chara, Nitella.

Devoid of roots : Ceratophyllum, Utricularia.

4. Marginal plants :

They are growing in the shallow areas of the water body (near shore). Ex. Typha, Cyperus, Ipomea, Eleocharis, Cryptocoryne, Echinodorus.