These are rooted in the soil underwater, but their upper portions—leaves and flowers—grow above the surface. Common examples include cattails and bulrushes.
These are complex, multicellular organisms. Like land plants, they possess specialized tissues, including roots, stems, and leaves. Most aquatic plants evolved from terrestrial ancestors that returned to the water, retaining vascular systems to transport nutrients. Aquatic Plants & Algae
These live entirely underwater. They often have limp stems because the water provides the necessary buoyancy and support. Pondweeds and coontail are frequently found in this category. These are rooted in the soil underwater, but
The most important distinction lies in their complexity and evolutionary history. They often have limp stems because the water
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These include the largest seaweeds, such as kelp and sargassum. They are almost exclusively marine and can create massive "underwater forests."
These are rooted in the bottom, but their leaves float on the surface. Water lilies are the classic example, utilizing the air-water interface for maximum sunlight.