Aquatic & Terrestrial Plants

Plants grow in different environments. Aquatic plants are those that grow in water, while terrestrial plants live on land . According to Aquarium and Pond Plants of the World, hobbyists and outdoors enthusiasts sometimes erroneously classify terrestrial plants as aquatic ones, because terrestrial plants can tolerate temporary submersion. Several examples of both types of plants exist.

Scouring rush is an aquatic plant. It can grow as tall as four feet. The plant’s long stem has tiny leaves growing from sheaths along it. At its tip, there is a cone-shaped structure, which holds spores. The plant grows in clusters found in marshes along the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.

Broad-leaved cattails are aquatic plants that grow in wetlands. They have long stalks about eight feet in length. The stalk has two spears — the upper spear has yellow hair and the bottom spear has brown pistillate blooms. The flower portion expands outward yielding hundreds of small fruits that gradually break off in the fall and winter.

Marsh marigold (also called Caltha palustris) is a terrestrial plant. It’s found along the water’s edge near creeks, bogs and riverbeds. It produces brilliant yellow-colored blooms, which appear similar to buttercups, only larger. They bloom in April through June. The marsh marigold has heart-shaped, shiny green foliage.

Veronica (also known as speedwell) is a terrestrial plant that must be planted in nutrient-rich soil to grow. It’s a blooming plant that produces long-spiked branches with flowers of pink, purple, blue or white. It begins to blossom in the spring and lasts until fall. Veronica needs direct exposure to sunlight.