Marsh Plant Identification
Wetlands that are perpetually saturated with water are known as marshes. Marshes may be freshwater or saltwater and may be fed by either groundwater or precipitation. Plants adapted to such sopping conditions include bulrushes, cattails and water hemlock. Does this Spark an idea?
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Bulrushes
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Young bulrushes blown by the wind Bulrushes are perennial, grass-like plants in the Scirpus genus. They thrive in shallow water or wet soil. In marshes, their submerged portions provide shelter for invertebrates. Bulrushes have long and erect, green, round or triangular stems with no visible leaves. They may be topped with clusters of flowers which give way to seeds.
Cattails
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Cattails going to seed. Cattails (Typha latifolia) are often found in freshwater marshes. These plants spread by extending their rhizomes, or underground stems. They bear long, grass-like green leaves up to 10 feet in height. In the summer months, cattails display their distinctive velvety brown flowers. In the autumn these flowers burst open, scattering fluffy white seeds.
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Water Hemlock
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Water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) is a marsh-dwelling plant in the Carrot family. It rises to a mature height of 3 to 6 feet, bearing long, serrated, light green leaves and abundant clusters of small, lacy, white flowers. This plant, and its roots are extremely poisonous.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images young bulrush image by Leonid Nyshko from Fotolia.com cattails image by Tanya McConnell from Fotolia.com
