Immersed Aquatic Plants

• Immersed plant species can be found in both salt and sea water. Stuart Westmorland/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Species of immersed aquatic plants are found throughout the world. They are widely distributed, mostly by waterfowl, when the propagule, which is the part of the plant used in reproduction, is carried to a new location. Underwater plants provide an important place of safety for small fish to hide and for eggs to be laid as well as a source of food for many animals.

Northern Water Milfoil

• The northern water milfoil (Myriophyllum exalbescens) grows at depths of between 1 and 20 feet. It is sometimes confused with coontail. The feathery leaves measure up to an inch in length with flowers produced at the surface of the water on spikes measuring 1 to 4 inches in length. The leaves are dark green and have five to 10 pairs of leaflets, which are smaller leaves.

Water Moss

• Water moss (Fontinalis antipyretica) is a freshwater plant that attaches itself to rocks and logs. It is dark green with a stem that grows to 23 inches and has pointy and sharp leaves 1/2 inch in length. This plant does not have any roots but does have rhizoids, which help to support the water moss. It is often used in cold-water aquariums to provide a hiding place for small fish.

Torrey's Surf Grass

• Torrey's surf grass (Phyllospadix torreyi) is one of the few plants that flowers under water. It has very narrow and thin leaves and grows in sheltered habitats. Surfgrass is a photosynthetic plant that exhales oxygen and during low tide it can often be seen covered in small oxygen bubbles.

Parrot Feather

• Parrot feather (Myriophllum aquaticum) has featherlike leaves that can grow up to 1 inch in length and are bright green, similar in appearance to small pine trees. The plant is found in freshwater lakes and streams and grows best in still or slow-moving water. The plant is native to the Amazon River and has been naturalized throughout the world, particularly in climates that are warm. The plant has very small white flowers that grow on the axils of any leaves growing out of the water.

Eel Grass

• Eel grass (Vallisneria americana) is also known as wild celery or tape grass. It is a freshwater plant that can grow to more than 6 feet in length. It is most commonly found in North America. The leaves grow in clusters and small white flowers grow all year round. The plant is an important source of food for many waterbirds and provides a hiding place for small fish.