Bright, pretty floaters

Brilliant floating aquatic plants can help to brighten up a pond, writes Stephanie Choo

Water Lettuce flowering.

The Water Hyacinth sports large and thick bright green foliage. When in bloom, the plant produces light purple flowers in clusters of eight to 10 on 30cm tall spikes. Each six-petal flower has a yellow bluelined eye in the upper petal.

The ovate leaves are broad, thick and waxy and they’re held on upright spongy leaf stalks. These stalks, together with the thick and dark submerged fibrous roots, trap air to help the plant stay afloat. Besides helping in the absorption of water, the roots act as a natural filtration to absorb any dissolved minerals as well as a habitat for fish and other aquatic insects. WATER LETTUCE

Also a freshwater plant, a perennial and an aggressive grower, water lettuce is a native of South America, Asia and Africa. A member of the arum family Araceae, the plant is botanically named Pistia stratiotes.

The Water Lettuce grows to reach 10cm in height only. The rosette has thick and soft leaves that are 15cm long. They do not have leaf stems and are covered with short hairs which help the plant float. The inflorescences are small and concealed in the centre among leaves.

The roots of the plant are as feathery and numerous as the Water Hyacinth but paler in colour. They also function as floats and serve as spawning ground and food to nibble on by fishes.

Like any floating plants, the Water Lettuce forms thick mats that prevent air and light entering the water, hence algae growth is controlled.

GROW WITH CAUTION

While we adore the beauty of these cute floating plants and can utilise them as an important part of a healthy aquatic ecosystem, bear in mind that these small plants are in fact fast growers. They have the potential to become serious weeds.

Offsets produced can become crowded

Water Hyacinth.

quickly and need to be separated. Thin the plants regularly and handle the plants responsibly. Toss the excess plants away into the trash bin or compost them.

Do not dump them into any natural waterways as they’re invasive. Given time, they can take over a body of water, thus posing a threat to biodiversity.

They require regular maintenance and upkeep and are best grown in small water gardens or ponds and water containers. All parts of Water Hyacinth and Water Lettuce are poisonous if ingested and can cause skin irritation. Wear a pair of gloves when handling the plants.