Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants can be divided in four categories; namely: (a) Bog plants
(b) Anchored to sub-soil plants (c) Free floating plants. (d) Submersed plants.

Bog plants are those which grow in soil but need stagnant water near their roots all the time. Example: Acorus calamus (वेखंड), Cyperus alternifolius (Umbrella palm) and Typha angusta (रामबाण).

Acorus calamus

Acorus calamus variegated

Cypers alternifolius

Cyperus prolifer

Limnocharis flava

Sagittaria montevidensis

Sagittaria sagittifolia

Anchored to sub-soil plants are those of which roots are submersed in water but leaves/flowers grow on surface of water or outside water. Examples: Water lily, Lotus.

Nymphaea species

Free floating plants remain floating in water and can float away along with flowing water. Examples: Pistia stratiotes (Water cabbage), Lemna minor (Duck weed), Salvinia auriculata (Water ferns), Ludwigia sidioides (Water mosaic) and Azolla pinnata.

Water cabbage

Duck weed

Water mosaic

Submersed plants are those which grow entirely underwater. They are also called as aerating or oxygenating plants; because they replenish oxygen contents of water. Such plants are used in fish tanks. Examples: Vallisneria spiralis and Cabomba. 

Cabomba

Vallisneria spiralis

Hydrilla verticillata

Acorus calamus (Sweet flag, वेखंड, वचा, बचा), Family: Araceae

This medicinal plant, Acorus calamus, commonly known as Sweet flag, grows in slushy soil. Though it can be grown in just moist soil like many other plants, it will thrive in a place where water stagnation occurs. Contrary to the belief that the roots have medicinal properties, it is the rhizome, thickened underground stem that has medicinal uses. Dehydrated stem can be stored for months and is available in market for medicinal uses. However, after about 6 months after dehydration, the stems lose their efficacy.

Acorus calamus

In one of the farms, where I visit as a consultant, we had planted this medicinal plant is mass. In that farm for trial I had made a small ditch by lining it with plastic sheet. It was filled with planting soil and a few saplings of Vekhand were planted in it. After planting, the ditch was watered to make soil slushy. Within 4 months, it showed excellent results. This encouraged us to do mass planting in the farm, where there used to be water stagnation in monsoon. This too proved quite successful.