Minnesota is home to around 150 native aquatic species. Aquatic plants are a part of most lake communities and serve many functions. They provide food for fish, offer shelter, protect shorelines, improve water clarity, and provide food and shelter for waterfowl.

There are four (4) categories that aquatic plants can be divided into - algae, emergent plants, floating-leaf plants and submergent plants. Algae has no roots, stems or leaves. They can range in size from a single-celled organism to a multi-celled organism. A few common types of algae include the following:

• Chara

• Filamentous Algae

• Stonewort

• Plankton Algae

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Emergent Plants have roots in the bottom of the lake, but their leaves and stems extend upwards towards the surface of the lake. They typically extend out of the water and like to grow along the shore and in wetlands. Some plants that fall into this category include:

• Bulrushes

• Cattails

• Wild Rice

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Floating-Leaf Plants are rooted at the bottom of the lake. Their leaves and any flowers float on the waters' surface. They typically like to grow in areas that are more protected on lakes and ponds. 

• Duckweed

• Floating Marsh-Marigold (Rare Plant)

• Small White Water-Lily (Rare Plant)

• Spatterdock

• Yellow Lotus (Protected Species)

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Submerged Plants grow entirely underwater. They like to grow in a variety of depths, from near the shore to some of the deepest parts of the waterbody. Some species common in our State include:

• Broad-Leaf Pondweeds

• Diverse-Leaved Pondweed (Rare Plant)

• Snailseed Pondweed (Rare Plant)

• Wild Celery

• Coontail

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​View the Minnesota DNR's website here for additional information about the different types of plants found in the State.