Aquatic Angiosperms

Question 1

What is the definition of aquatic plants?

Answer 1

Plants that grow in water or on a substrate that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen as a result of excessive water content (saturated)

Question 2

How are aquatic angiosperms defined?

Answer 2

• Ability to inhabit wet places
• Diverse assemblage of spp. with different adaptations
• Ecological tolerances
• Life histories that enable their survival in saturated or flooded soils
• Found in both lentic and lotic habitats

Question 3

How are aquatic vascular plants are classified?

Answer 3

Based on their growth

Question 4

What are the key characteristics of emergent angiosperms?

Answer 4

• Rooted in soil (nutrients)
• Basal part (roots) typically grow beneath the surface of the water
• Leaves, stems and reproductive organs are aerial
• Leaves and stems stiff
• Mostly herbaceous, but can be woody
• Marshes, lake shores, stream banks
• Outcompete floating-leaved and submerged plants

Question 5

What are the most common emergent plant families?

Answer 5

-Monocotyledons - ( 1 cotyledon)

Poaceae (grass)
Typhaceae (Bulrush)

Question 6

What are some examples of short fringing dicotyledon herbs?

Answer 6

• Alismataceae (water plantain)
• Araceae ( Arum spp.)
• Asteraceae (asters)
• Laminaceae (mint Lycopus spp, Mentha spp)

Question 7

List some characteristics of submerged aquatic angiosperms.

Answer 7

• Entire life cycle under water- except flowers
• Most are rooted in substrate
• Nutrients from sediments
• Submerged plants take dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide from water column
• Dependent on water column for nutrients
• Stems and leaves soft

Question 8

How do submerged aquatic angiosperms get pollinated?

Answer 8

Wind

Insects

Question 9

Where can submerged aquatic angiosperms be found

Answer 9

Coastal, estuarine and freshwater habitats

Question 10

What plant families are considered submerged aquatic angiosperms?

Answer 10

• Callitrichaceae (water starwort)
• Ceratophyllaceae (hornwort)
• Haloragaceae (water milfoil)

Question 11

List the characteristics of Leaved Aquatic Angiosperms

Answer 11

• Float on surface
• Roots anchored in substrate
• Petioles connect leaves to the bottom
• Stomata on the aerial side of leaf
• Outcompete submerged species for light
• Flowers float
• Oval or cordata leaves with entire smooth margins to reduce tearing.
• Waterproof