Ohio's Aquatic Plants
- Cattails are a common aquatic plant in Ohio.Kim Carson/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Aquatic plants inhabit ponds, wetlands, marshes, tidal areas, bogs and other places that remain wet throughout the year. Ohio is home to hundreds of different types of aquatic plants, some of which are native while others were introduced by settlers either on purpose or inadvertently. Aquatic plants often play important roles in the ecosystems they inhabit, providing food, shelter and other benefits to many living organisms. - This floating plant inhabits ponds, swamps and pools throughout Ohio, especially those that are warm and rich in nutrients. Ducks and waterfowl feed on purple-fringed riccia (Ricciocarpus natans), and the plant also provides habitat for a wide range of invertebrates and aquatic insects. Its tiny green leaves are no more than 1/2-inch long but form massive clusters along the surface of the water, particularly in late winter and early spring.
- Native to Ohio, this aquatic wildflower inhabits wetlands, marshes and damp meadows. With its tiny golden-yellow flowers and glossy-green leaves, the marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) closely resembled the buttercup. This plant blooms in early spring and is a reliable indicator of permanently saturated soils. Though the plant contains several toxins and alkaloid poison, its leaves and roots are edible when cooked.
- Cattails (Typha latifolia) are common pond plants throughout Ohio, where they are often considered invasive. These unique aquatic plants grow on tall, slender stalks as high as 10 feet and produce furry, brown, oblong flowers that resemble the tails of cats. These plants provide shelter for a wide range of aquatic species and food for muskrats and other animals. This plant can grow in water up to 1 1/2-feet deep.
- This floating aquatic plant produces flat, green leaves and white or yellow flowers similar to peonies. The white water lily or American water lily (Nymphaea odorata) is native to the United States, where it inhabits lakes, ponds, streams and ditches. Its flowers bloom from March to October and typically open during the day and close at night. Ducks and other waterfowl feed on its buoyant seeds as well as other parts of the plant.