hydrophytic

Hydrophytic is an adjective used to describe plants that are adapted to living in water or in soils that are saturated with water. In wetland biology, hydrophytic plants form a core component of aquatic and semi-aquatic ecosystems. They can be fully aquatic, living most of their life cycle submerged or floating, or rooted in mud with shoots extending into the water column.

Hydrophytic plants appear in a variety of life forms, including free-floating species such as duckweed, floating-leaved plants like water lilies, submerged forms such as pondweed and hornwort, and emergent plants whose roots lie in the substrate while stems and leaves project into the water or air. They inhabit ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, and other wetlands, and they are often found in zones with periodic or permanent inundation.

Adaptations common to hydrophytic plants include extensive aerenchyma for internal gas transport, thin or reduced cuticles on leaves, stomata placed on upper surfaces to facilitate gas exchange, buoyant tissues that help with flotation, and the ability to absorb nutrients through leaves or stems in addition to roots. These traits support life in low-oxygen sediments and enable efficient nutrient uptake in aquatic environments.

Ecological and practical significance is considerable. Hydrophytic vegetation aids in sediment stabilization, provides habitat for numerous aquatic organisms, and contributes to nutrient cycling and water purification. Some hydrophytes are used in phytoremediation and wastewater treatment, while others may become invasive and disrupt native communities or waterways when introduced outside their native range.