Monochoria vaginalis

Monochoria vaginalis is a species of flowering plant in the family Pontederiaceae (water hyacinth family). It's known by a munber of common names, including lesser water hyacinth, heartleaf false pickerelweed and oval-leafed pondweed. It is an invasive aquatic plant, that grows in rice paddies and other water bodies. This is an annual or perennial herb growing in water from a small rhizome. The shiny green leaves are up to about 12 centimeters long and 10 wide and are borne on rigid, hollow petioles. The inflorescence bears 3 to 25 flowers which open underwater and all around the same time. Each has six purple-blue tepals just over a centimeter long. The fruit is a capsule about a centimeter long which contains many tiny winged seeds.

Monochoria vaginalis

Water Clover

The Water Clover is a common name used for the species of aquatic ferns in the genus Marsilea, family Marsileaceae. There are 65 species within the genus Marsilea. It's also known as four-leaf clover, because of its resemblance with the 4-leaved clover (Trifolium). It can grow in both low and high light conditions. It requires moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

Water Clover (Marsilea sp.)

Indian Lotus Flower

The Indian Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is an aquatic perennial plant in the family Nelumbonaceae, native to southern Asia and Australia, having large leaves which can reach 24 inches in diameter, fragrant, pinkish flowers having up to 6 inches long petals, a broad, rounded, perforated seedpod, and fleshy rhizomes. It's known by a number of names including Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Bean of India, or simply Lotus. Lotus seeds, leaves and roots (rhizome) are edible. Lotus roots are eaten raw or cooked liked other vegetables. It's full of fiber and various vitamins and other nutrients. The seeds are eaten raw or roasted. Lotus is the national flower of Indian and Vietnam.

Indian Lotus Flowers - Nelumbo nucifera

Lotus Flower

Lotus Flower

Lotus Flower and Bud

Lotus Flowers and Plants

Lotus Bud and Leaf

Lotus Bud

Lotus Seed Pod

Lotus Seed Pod Closeup

Lotus Seeds

Common Water Hyacinth-Eichhornia crassipes

The Common Water Hyacinth (Scientific name: Eichhornia crassipes), is a floating aquatic plant in the family Pontederiaceae, that invade aquatic areas. It can grow up to 3 ft. tall.. The elliptical shaped, thick leaves grow up to 15 cm wide. Leaves curve inward at the edges. The leafstalks are waxy with spongy petioles, which keep the plant floating in the water. It has beautiful purple flowers, that grow on upright spikes. Each flower has six petals with the uppermost having a blue and yellow patch. It is used as an ornamental plant in pools and aquariums.
It invades lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, and other types of wetland habitats. Water hyacinth mate clog waterway, making boating, fishing and other water activities impossible. It also restrict sunlight and deplete the oxygen level in the water, which are necessary for underwater life.

Water Hyacinth

Water Lettuce-Pistia stratiotes

Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is a single species of aquatic plant in the genus Pistia, family Araceae. It’s also called water cabbage or Nile cabbage. Because of its beauty, water lettuce is a favorite plant of the water garden lovers. This invasive species was introduced in our area a few years ago and now almost all lacks and ponds are covered with it. Though water lettuce mat presents a very beautiful view, but the fact is that, it's an unwanted plant for many reasons. Water lettuce mats makes boating and fishing almost impossible. It degrades the water quality. It has negative impact on biological diversity.

Water Lettuce - Pistia stratiotes