The differentiating factor between water and land plants is that the land plants possess larger root systems. Several water plants, on the other hand, lack a root system.
Usually, land plants are taller than being wide and have a branched root system. On the other hand, the water plants are wider, having spongier leaves, providing that buoyancy for plants to float on water. The roots of aquatic plants hang in the water and are freely able to move about.
Land Plants
- Land plants are grouped under terrestrial plants, wherein the plants are seen in soil-based surroundings.
- They possess a strong root system, requiring a supply of nutrients and water to survive. For this purpose, the root system absorbs them from the soil.
- They possess roots that anchor plants to the soil serving in water absorption except for bryophytes; all land plants possess true roots.
- Typically, they comprise a waxy cuticle covering the outer surface and preventing their drying out through the process of evaporation.
- Stomata are usually seen in land plants. These are pores enabling gaseous exchange between surroundings and the cells. These are essential structures as the waxy cuticles block the free-flowing gas.
- The alternation of the generation life cycle includes a multicellular diploid and haploid stage.
Water Plants
- These plants dwell in aquatic environments – marine or freshwater. They can either be floating on water or fully submerged.
- These plants absorb water for their nutritional needs from the dissolved nutrients seen in them. As a result, the main function of the root system is the anchoring of the plant.
- Since water plants are submerged completely, their stomata are located on the leaf’s upper side. This enables easy exchange of gasses at the time of respiration.
- These plants do not need to conserve water through special adaptations.
Key Difference between Land Plants and Water Plants
The table below depicts the difference between Land Plants And Water Plants.
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These are terrestrial plants with a strong shoot and root system. |
These plants are aquatic, with their root system either being weak or absent |
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Anchors the plant and absorbs nutrients and water. |
Only involved in anchoring the plant. |
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Strong |
Weak |
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Land / terrestrial |
Aquatic |
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Varies |
Spongy or thick or oval |
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Bottom of the stem. |
Bottom of each leaf. |
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Leaf’s lower side |
Leaf’s upper side |
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Pollinated by different agents, insects, wind etc. |
Water pollination is usually seen. |
You read some differences between land plants and water plants.
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