Types of Plants in Estuaries

Grasses

• For plants to survive in an estuary, the soil from which the plant pulls its nutrients is typically covered with water. Plants have had to adapt to garnering their energy and nutrients from the sun and the soil below the water surface. Certain types of grasses have become adept at surviving these conditions. For example, eelgrass grows in the shallow areas of estuaries, growing only about 4 feet tall. Eelgrass colonies provide shelter for shellfish and other shallow dwelling fish. Saltgrass is a short growing grass, approximately 4 to 16 inches tall. It grows in the shallowest regions of the estuaries, mostly on the outskirts where water levels vary due to tidal changes. The plant has evolved to where it can survive extended periods of flooding in both saltwater and freshwater floods.

Trees

• Estuaries build up large amounts of sediments, and sometimes these sedimentary areas rise up past the level of complete water coverage. These areas tend to have a larger percentage of freshwater than salt. In these regions, trees can be found; however, the trees are adapted to withstand possible flooding and are slightly saltwater tolerant. Some of the trees include the live oak, red oak and red maple, which are mostly found in North American estuaries. The loblolly pine is an estuary tree that holds commercial value as a timber tree. The mangrove tree is a prime example of an estuary-adapted tree that grows in tropical regions; it can grow partially submerged in water.

Sedges

• Various types of sedges grow in estuaries. Carex lyngbyei, a perennial sedge, grows in very wet sediments and the saltwater shorelines of estuaries. They form large colonies and are spotted by their deep green coloring and brown seedpods. Water chestnuts are well-known estuary sedges that provide an important food source for animals and humans.

Cattail and Bulrush

• The cattail plant, aptly named for the tall shoot that grows out of the plant's center, is found in abundance in the freshwater regions of estuaries. The shoot features a furry-looking cigar-shaped seedpod that mirrors a cat's tail, especially from a distance. Cattails provide a home and shelter for birds, amphibians and reptiles, and it is also a food source. Bulrush is a grass-like plant; however, it is not considered a grass. One of the tallest estuary plants that is not a tree, the bulrush can tower more than 10 feet above the water. They can grow out of the water in moist soils and survive while being partially submerged in the water. Bulrush is adapted to brackish water or freshwater.