Emergent plants

Emergent plants are aquatic plants that grow rooted in the soil beneath a water body but extend above the water’s surface. They thrive at the water’s edge, with parts such as leaves, stems, and flowers visible above the water, while their roots remain submerged. Examples include cattails and reeds. These plants play vital roles in ecosystems by providing habitat for wildlife, stabilizing shoreline soil, filtering pollutants, and contributing to water quality. Their unique position at the interface of land and water makes them important for ecological balance and shoreline management.