What are hydrophytes?
Hydrophytes are also known as ‘water plants’. They are plants that grow in water. The bodies of these plants are light, with a waxy coating on their leaves and they have scanty roots. The hydrophytes are constantly in contact with water and hence it is not necessary for them to conserve or store water in any part of the plant. Hydrophytes unlike Xerophytes that try to conserve every bit of water, have specialized adaptation for surviving in water or at the water surface. They are morphologically, anatomically, and physiologically adapted to the aquatic environment. The main adaptation is the presence of the aerenchyma tissue, filled with air spaces for buoyancy in the water. They vary among the habitat in terms of the quality of water that ranges between freshwater, brackish water, and marine water.
Examples: water-lily, lotus, etc.
Hydrophytes are also known as ‘water plants’. They are plants that grow in water. The bodies of these plants are light, with a waxy coating on their leaves and they have scanty roots. The hydrophytes are constantly in contact with water and hence it is not necessary for them to conserve or store water in any part of the plant. Hydrophytes unlike Xerophytes that try to conserve every bit of water, have specialized adaptation for surviving in water or at the water surface. They are morphologically, anatomically, and physiologically adapted to the aquatic environment. The main adaptation is the presence of the aerenchyma tissue, filled with air spaces for buoyancy in the water. They vary among the habitat in terms of the quality of water that ranges between freshwater, brackish water, and marine water.
Examples: water-lily, lotus, etc.
