Name : Muqaddas Ali

Department : Botany

Semester : 6th

Subject : Ecology

Roll No: bt 40

Submitted to: Mam khadija

Topic : Hydrophytes of Punjab

HYDROPHYTES INTRODUCTION:

Hydrophytes are plants that are adapted to grow in water or in soil that is periodically saturated with
water. These plants have evolved a range of unique adaptations that allow them to survive in
aquatic or water-logged environments.

One of the most important adaptations of hydrophytes is their ability to obtain oxygen for
respiration. Since water is a dense medium that contains very little dissolved oxygen, hydrophytes
have developed various adaptations to obtain oxygen, such as the presence of specialized air
channels, floating leaves, or oxygen-releasing roots.

Hydrophytes can be classified into two main groups based on their water requirements: obligate
hydrophytes and facultative hydrophytes. Obligate hydrophytes are plants that require water for
their entire life cycle, while facultative hydrophytes are plants that can grow in either aquatic or
terrestrial environments.

EXAMPLES :

Examples of hydrophytes include water lilies, lotus plants, and cattails. These plants are often found
in wetlands, swamps, and other water-logged areas where they play an important role in
maintaining the ecological balance of the ecosystem.

HYDROPHYTES OF PUNJAB :

These are some of the hydrophytes that can be found in Punjab

Punjab is a state in northern India, known for its fertile land and agricultural production. The state is
home to a variety of hydrophytes, or plants adapted to living in or near water. Here are some of the
commonly found hydrophytes of Punjab, along with their characteristics:

Hydrophytes of punjab are classified as below.

1) WATERCRESS:

TAXONOMY :

Kingdom: plantae
Order : Brassicales

Family: Brassicaceae

Genus:Nasturtium

Specie : Nasturtium Officinale

DEFINITION:

Watercress is a species of aquatic flowering plant belonging to the family Brassicaceae, which is also
known as the mustard family. It has the scientific name Nasturtium officinale, and is also commonly
referred to as garden cress, yellow cress, or true watercress.

Structure: Watercress is a perennial herb that grows in shallow water or on moist soil. It has small,
green leaves that are oval-shaped and grow on long, thin stems. The plant also produces small,
white flowers that bloom in clusters during the spring and summer.

Origin: Watercress is native to Europe and Asia, and has been used for its medicinal and culinary
properties for thousands of years. It was first cultivated in ancient Persia, and was later introduced
to Europe by the Romans.

Classification: Watercress belongs to the kingdom Plantae, and is classified under the order
Brassicales, family Brassicaceae, and genus Nasturtium.

Distribution: Watercress is now widely cultivated throughout the world and can be found in many
different countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is commonly
grown in water gardens, ponds, and streams, as well as in commercial farms.

Varieties: There are several varieties of watercress, including English watercress, Indian watercress,
and Chinese watercress. These varieties differ in taste, texture, and growing conditions.

Overall, watercress is a popular and nutritious plant that is widely consumed around the world. It is
commonly used in salads, sandwiches, soups, and other dishes, and is known for its peppery flavor
and high vitamin and mineral content.

2) WATER HYACINTH:

TAXONOMY:

Kingdom : plantae

Clade: Tracheophytes

Order : Commelinales

Family : Pontederiaceae

Genus : Eichhornia

Specie : E .Crassipes

DEFINITION:

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a free-floating aquatic plant that is native to South America.
It is believed to have originated from the Amazon Basin and spread throughout tropical and
subtropical regions of the world. Water hyacinth is a member of the family Pontederiaceae, which
includes other aquatic plants such as water lettuce and frogbit.

Structure:

Water hyacinth has thick, spongy, and rounded leaves that are arranged in a rosette pattern. The
leaves are about 6-12 inches in diameter and have a glossy green upper surface and a purplish-red
lower surface. The plant has no true roots but instead has long, feathery, and blackish-purple roots
that can grow up to 6 feet long.

The plant produces a beautiful flower that is considered one of the most striking aquatic flowers.
The flowers have six petals that are usually blue-violet in color and can reach up to 3 inches in
diameter.

Distribution:

Water hyacinth is distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including
North and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. It is particularly prevalent in
freshwater environments, such as lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers.

Classification:

Water hyacinth is classified as an invasive species in many parts of the world due to its ability to
reproduce rapidly and form dense mats on the water surface, which can disrupt aquatic ecosystems
and interfere with human activities such as fishing and boating. It is classified as a noxious weed in
the United States, where it is known to grow rapidly in warm climates and cause significant
economic and ecological damage.

3) Duckweed :

Duckweed is a group of small aquatic plants that belong to the family Lemnaceae, which is part of
the order Alismatales. They are found worldwide and are known for their rapid growth and ability to
colonize water surfaces. Here is more information on the structure, origin, classification, taxonomy,
and distribution of duckweed.

Structure:

Duckweeds are simple plants that consist of a small, flattened body called a thallus. This thallus has
no roots, stems, or leaves. Instead, it has a small root-like structure called a rootlet that dangles
from the bottom of the thallus and helps the plant to anchor itself in the water. The top of the
thallus has a small depression that contains the plant's reproductive structures.

Origin:

The exact origin of duckweed is unknown, but they are believed to have originated in tropical and
subtropical regions of the world. They have been found in fossils dating back to the Eocene period,
which was around 50 million years ago.

Classification:
Duckweed belongs to the family Lemnaceae, which is part of the order Alismatales. Within the
family Lemnaceae, there are five genera: Lemna, Spirodela, Landoltia, Wolffia, and Wolffiella. Lemna
is the largest genus and contains around 40 species.

Distribution:

Duckweeds are found worldwide in both temperate and tropical regions. They grow in freshwater
habitats such as ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers. Some species are considered invasive and can
form thick mats that cover the surface of water bodies, which can have negative effects on the
distribution.

4) Water lilies :

Water lilies are aquatic plants with floating leaves and showy flowers. They belong to the family
Nymphaeaceae, which includes about 70 species and numerous cultivars. Here's an overview of their
structure, origin, classification, distribution, and taxonomy:

Structure:

Water lilies have large, round leaves that float on the surface of the water. The leaves have long
petioles that attach to rhizomes or stems that anchor the plant in the soil or sediment at the bottom
of the water. The leaves are often divided into lobes and can grow up to 30 cm in diameter. The
flowers are usually large and showy with numerous petals and sepals arranged in a symmetrical
pattern. The flowers are held above the water on a stalk and may be white, pink, red, or yellow. The
fruit is a round or oval capsule containing numerous seeds.

Origin:

Water lilies are thought to have originated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including
Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Fossil evidence suggests that water lilies have existed for at least 100
million years.

Classification:

Water lilies belong to the family Nymphaeaceae, which includes two genera: Nymphaea (hardy
water lilies) and Nelumbo (lotus or sacred water lilies). The hardy water lilies are further divided into
several subgenera based on their geographic origin and flower characteristics.

Distribution:

Water lilies are found in freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams and
rivers. They are distributed worldwide, but are most diverse in tropical regions.

Taxonomy:
The taxonomy of water lilies is complex and has undergone many revisions over the years. Currently,
there are about 70 species and numerous cultivars recognized in the family Nymphaeaceae. The
genus Nymphaea is divided into four subgenera: Anecphya, Brachyceras, Hydrocallis, and
Nymphaea. The lotus or sacred water lilies belong to the genus Nelumbo and are native to Asia and
Australia.

In summary, water lilies are aquatic plants with floating leaves and showy flowers that belong to the
family Nymphaeaceae. They are found in freshwater habitats worldwide, and their taxonomy is
complex, with about 70 species and numerous cultivars recognized.

5) Cattail :

Cattails (Typha spp.) are aquatic or semi-aquatic plants that are commonly found in wetlands,
marshes, and along the banks of streams and ponds. They are native to most parts of the world,
including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Structure:

Cattails are characterized by their tall, slender stems, which can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) in
height. The stems are topped with cylindrical, brown seed heads that resemble hotdogs. The leaves
of cattails are long and narrow, and they are usually folded in half along their length.

Origin:

Cattails are a very ancient plant species, and they have been found in fossils dating back more than
30 million years. The genus Typha is believed to have originated in Eurasia and Africa, and then
spread to other parts of the world.

Classification:

Cattails belong to the family Typhaceae, which includes two genera: Typha and Sparganium. The
genus Typha includes about 15 species, while Sparganium includes about 20 species.

Distribution:

Cattails are distributed throughout the world, and they are particularly common in wetland habitats.
They can be found in freshwater and brackish environments, and they are tolerant of a wide range
of environmental conditions.

Taxonomy:

The taxonomy of cattails is as follows:

Kingdom: Plantae

Subkingdom: Tracheobionta

Superdivision: Spermatophyta

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Subclass: Commelinidae

Order: Typhales

Family: Typhaceae

Genus: Typha

Some of the most common species of cattails include:

Typha latifolia (broad-leaved cattail)

Typha angustifolia (narrow-leaved cattail)

Typha domingensis (southern cattail)

Typha minima (dwarf cattail)

Typha orientalis (oriental cattail)

Typha laxmannii (Laxmann's cattail)

Typha elephantina (elephant grass cattail).

THE END