Aquatic plant identification

Aquatic plants with fine leaves - either totally or partly underwater - from the Riverwatch Pack

A. Plants with leaves in whorls: groups of leaves arranged in collars at intervals along the stem

1. MILFOIL	2. HORNWORT	3. MARE'S TAIL
Leaves feather-like in appearance. Arranged in groups of 4 around the stem Maximum length 3m.	Each leaf branches 2 or 3 times. Arranged in whorls around the stem. Maximum length 90cm.	Leaves like flat fingers (not feathery) Arranged in whorls around the stem Maximum height 30cm.

B. Plants with leaves NOT in whorls: leaves arranged on either side of the stem

4. CROWFOOT	5. STARWORT	6. FINE-LEAVED PONDWEEDS
Lower leaves feathery and finely divided to three's. May have flat leaves floating on the surface & white flowers Maximum leaf diameter 3cm.	Lower leaves arranged in pairs along the stem. Forms a rosette of leaves at the water's surface. Maximum leaf length 2cm.	Fine grassy leaves. Leaves not arranged in pairs. Maximum length 2m.
7. MOSS	8. BLANKET WEED
Various species growing on rocks, stones and dead branches in the water. Small, up to 20cm long.	Long green threads forming mats in the water.

Aquatic plants with broad leaves - either totally or partly submerged in water

9. CANADIAN PONDWEED	10. CURLED PONDWEED	11. BROAD LEAVED PONDWEEDS
Leaves 1-2 cm long. Arranged along the stem in whorls of 3.	Leaves narrow with teeth and wavy edges. Leaves often have a reddish tinge.	Broad leaves with prominent veins. Leaves may be floating on water surface. Maximum length 6m. Leaves 3-12 cm long.
12. WATER LILY
Large flat leaves floating on the surface. No fine leaves below. May have white or yellow flowers. Leaves up to 40cm across.

Grasses, reeds, rushes and sedges - grass-like in appearance with leaves above the water surface

13. COMMON REED	14. REEDMACE	15. FLAG IRIS (YELLOW FLAG)
Tall and grass-like. Up to 3.5m tall. The stems remain as hard canes in the winter.	Very tall. Leaves flat at the tip, but saucer-shaped lower down. Maximum height 2.5m.	Long flat leaves which are thick in the middle. May have yellow flowers. Maximum height 1.5m.
16. SEDGE	17. RUSH	18. BUR-REED
Leaves V or M shaped and may have sharp edges. The stems are triangular. Maximum height 1.6m.	Produces a clump of single leaves. Leaves are circular, often with a soft pith inside. Maximum height 1.5m	Soft, triangular-shaped leaves, which together form a round stem at the base. Maximum height 1.5m.

Pond Pack Introduction Why study ponds? Pond-dipping Safety for teachers Safety for kids Animal variety Moving and breathing Cycles of life Webs of life Plant life Maths English Geography History Art and design Make a pond Plant identification Animal identification Activity sheets Bug dial Where to go Acknowledgements EDUCATION NATURE SEARCH . . . . . . . . .