Credit goes to Cavan for the idea behind this thread. I was going to do it Monday or Tuesday, but after reading a few posts from people in northern climates that were sad about the lack of native aquatic plants in their areas, I felt compelled to bring them some happiness.
While working on my book, I realized that there were a lot of aquatic plant species that I had not seen before, and I ended up traveling all over Wisconsin to find them in their natural habitats. There are about 120 aquatic species in the Upper Midwest region, and many additional variations and subspecies. Here's a quick sample of the diversity we are blessed with in the Upper Midwest. This doesn't even scratch the surface of what can be seen in a day of traveling around a lake-rich region of Wisconsin. Some lakes will contain 40 or more species, but you have to be paying attention to see all of them, and of course have an idea of what you're looking for.
This is one of our Alisma species, which commonly occur in low spots that are periodically flooded. They will become more robust plants when the water recedes.
Azolla mexicana:
We have two Azolla spp. here, mostly in the Wolf and Missisippi River watersheds. Azolla floats around in quiet shallows with many species of Lemna, Spirodela, Riccia, Ricciocarpus, and Wolffia.
Brasenia schreberi:
This plant has a beautiful little flower that pops up in early July. It's often mistakenly called a water lily or pond lily, though it is actually in the Cabombaceae family, not the Nymphaceae like the lilies.
Callitriche palustris (C. verna):
We have three Callitriche spp., with C. palustris being the most common by far. C. heterophylla and C. hermaphroditica are quite rare. Callitriche tends to be found in quiet areas with groundwater seepage.
Mosses:
This is a Drepanoclatus moss, one of many mosses that occur submerged in Wisconsin lakes.
Eriocaulon aquaticum:
This is our only Eriocaulon, which prefers sandy substrates and softer water. Seen here with Elatine minima and Juncus pelocarpus.
Heteranthera dubia:
H. dubia occurs in lakes and rivers, and will occasionally flower, either when plants get stranded on mudflats, or when the plants grow densely together and can support the emergent flowers. Ranunculus aquatilis is also shown here.
While working on my book, I realized that there were a lot of aquatic plant species that I had not seen before, and I ended up traveling all over Wisconsin to find them in their natural habitats. There are about 120 aquatic species in the Upper Midwest region, and many additional variations and subspecies. Here's a quick sample of the diversity we are blessed with in the Upper Midwest. This doesn't even scratch the surface of what can be seen in a day of traveling around a lake-rich region of Wisconsin. Some lakes will contain 40 or more species, but you have to be paying attention to see all of them, and of course have an idea of what you're looking for.
This is one of our Alisma species, which commonly occur in low spots that are periodically flooded. They will become more robust plants when the water recedes.
Azolla mexicana:
We have two Azolla spp. here, mostly in the Wolf and Missisippi River watersheds. Azolla floats around in quiet shallows with many species of Lemna, Spirodela, Riccia, Ricciocarpus, and Wolffia.
Brasenia schreberi:
This plant has a beautiful little flower that pops up in early July. It's often mistakenly called a water lily or pond lily, though it is actually in the Cabombaceae family, not the Nymphaceae like the lilies.
Callitriche palustris (C. verna):
We have three Callitriche spp., with C. palustris being the most common by far. C. heterophylla and C. hermaphroditica are quite rare. Callitriche tends to be found in quiet areas with groundwater seepage.
Mosses:
This is a Drepanoclatus moss, one of many mosses that occur submerged in Wisconsin lakes.
Eriocaulon aquaticum:
This is our only Eriocaulon, which prefers sandy substrates and softer water. Seen here with Elatine minima and Juncus pelocarpus.
Heteranthera dubia:
H. dubia occurs in lakes and rivers, and will occasionally flower, either when plants get stranded on mudflats, or when the plants grow densely together and can support the emergent flowers. Ranunculus aquatilis is also shown here.