Water Plants in Pennsylvania

Giant or Common Cattail

• Cattails (Typha latifolia), which grow to about 6 or 7 feet in height, are native Pennsylvania plants found in marshes and ponds throughout the commonwealth. The flowers, from which the plant takes its name, are cigar-shaped, dark-brown cylinders that grow above the foliage.

  While they usually grow along the edges of a pond where the water is shallow, cattails can also thrive in up to 4 feet of water. They naturally deter erosion of pond banks and provide food and shelter for fish, birds and insects.

Bulrush

• The bulrush (Scripus spp.), is a rooted water plant that grows in only about 4 to 6 inches of water and can reach 10 feet in height. A member of the sedge family, several species are native to Pennsylvania. The Northeastern bulrush has been on the federal endangered species list since 1991.

  This water plant grows into thick stands when mature, and features triangular stems, which may be not be evident unless cut. The giant bulrush variety can grow up to 12 feet in height, and thrives in marshy areas along shorelines. Seeds provide food for waterfowl and birds, while muskrats and geese prefer the roots and young shoots.

American Lotus

• The American lotus (Nelumbo lutea), is a Pennsylvania perennial that grows in the mud beneath water up to 8 feet deep. Often found in shallower areas of natural lakes, this plant produces large, pale yellow flowers up to 10 inches in diameter that rise above the flat leaves.

  This water plant attracts a variety of fish, insects and frogs, but the long stems can interfere with fishing. The American lotus is another plant classified as an endangered species and protected in Pennsylvania.

Pennywort

• The water pennywort (Hydrocotyle spp.), another Pennsylvania native, is a small water plant, usually found growing in muddy soil, marshes or along the edges of ponds and lakes. The leaves are round and shiny, and appear to be floating on top of the water or soil.

  The white, star-shaped flowers are very small and grow in bunches of up to 13 on a stalk. These water plants grow close together, eventually forming thick surface mats that provide food and shelter for water insects, young fish and amphibians.

White Water Lily

• Pennsylvania's white water lily (Nymphaea spp.) features bright, white flowers that emerge from large, round, floating leaves of up to 12 inches in diameter. The leaves often have purple undersides, and some may rise slightly above the surface of the water. The flowers are very fragrant and only remain open until early afternoon.

  This water lily thrives as a pond plant in less than 6 feet of water, but also grows in lakes and marshes. Like the lotus, however, the long stems of this plant make fishing difficult.