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All About Wetlands >> Vegetation Wetland VegetationNot all plants can survive in wetland ecosystems. Wetland habitats, with their high water levels and increased salt concentrations, are too harsh for many plants. Most organisms that thrive in these environments only do so with the help of special physiological and morphological adaptations. Common characteristics of wetland plants
floating stems -- stems with large internal air spaces that allow plants to root in shallow water and float inflated leaves, stems, roots -- spongy tissues in leaves, stems and roots provide buoyancy and an oxygen reservoir (examples: herbaceous plants, including cattails, bulrush) hypertrophied venticals -- large pores on plant stems make oxygen exchange easier prolonged seed viability -- seeds will learn for 20 years so they can postpone germination until a wet area dries and then they are exposed to air seed germination under low oxygen conditions -- seeds germinate when submerged and don't have to wait for air exposure physiological adaptations --
Plants based on wetland typeInvasion of Non-native SpeciesNon-native wetland plants are beginning to rule the landscape in many wetlands. This causes a huge diversity problem because the native vegetation is not naturally able to compete with these invaders. Learn more about invasive exotic vegetation.
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