|
An aquatic herb of shallow water, Nymphaea cultivar is
also know as the Water Lily. These plants have creeping underground
stem and long leaf stalk, allowing the leaves to float on the
surface of the water.
|
 |
|
Monochoria hastate or Pondweed is an aquatic herb with broad
spearhead-shaped leaves and long-stalked, reaching 60 cm tall.
The flowers are light violet and the fruits are enclosed in
capsule with many tiny seeds within. Leaves and flowers can be
eaten as vegetable either raw or steamed.
|
|
|
A fleshy tufted aquatic fern, Ceratopteris thalictroides,
looks like fleshy celery. This fern is cultivated in flooded
rice-fields in Japan and China as a late spring vegetable, or
as a green manure. Locally eaten as spinach and planted in ponds
as an ornamental plant.
|
|
|
An aquatic grass-like herb, Typha angustifolia is also
known as Cattail or Bulrush and can grow up to 3 meters tall.
They have tiny male and female flowers held in separate cylindrical
spikes, the male being above. The flowers are wind pollinated. The
sausage-looking inflorescence contains tiny fruits that are
dispersed by the wind. Birds like Munias and Bulbuls also gather
these cotton-like fruits to line their nest.
|
|
|
Unlike the Water Lily, the Sacred Lotus has flowers and leafstalks
that rise above the water. The fruit is funnel-shaped and is
embedded with many edible seeds.
|
|
|
A floating plant, the Water Lettuce has soft velvety leaves that
are arranged such that it looks like a lettuce. Bears small,
white flowers.
|
|
|
The Water Banana bears two types of roots; those that look like
bananas and those that anchor the plant to the soil.
|
|
|
Water Hyacinth is a floating plant with swollen leaf stalks that
contain air to help the plant float. Can reproduce very quickly
and take over an entire pond. Bear light purple flowers that
grow in a cluster.
|
