Welcome to Word of the Week! Stay tuned for a new word each Friday to amp up your nature vocabulary!
Hydrophyte [HAHY-druh-fahyt] (noun): A plant that is adapted to living either in waterlogged soil or partly or wholly submerged in water.
Hydrophytes are also known as aquatic plants, and can be categorized into 4 main types, these include: floating plants, deep water plants, marginal plants and Oxygenating plants. Some characteristics of hydrophytes include a lack of water retention ability, flat leaves to facilitate floating on the water’s surface, small feathery roots, and air sacks to assist with flotation.
In High Park we have many hydrophytes that can be found throughout many of our wetland environments. They may be emergent, submergent, or floating along the shallow edges of ponds and lakes. They provide cover for fish, and habitat for aquatic invertebrates and other wildlife.
Some common hydrophytes that can be found throughout the park include: Sweetflag, Broad-leaved Cattail, Common Arrowhead, and Blue-Flag Iris.
On your next visit to High Park's Grenadier Pond or other wetland environments, take a moment to notice all of the amazing hydrophytes around you!
