Wetlands have special plants that can survive and grow in water.

These plants provide food, nesting material and habitat for many birds, animals and insects.  They are also important in helping keep to the water fresh and clean. Some plants are completely submerged; some grow under the water with leaves which float on the water surface; and others are complete emergent with waving leaves high in the breeze.

Water plants need strategies to be able to survive drying out. Many have rhizomes growing in the mud, which can keep the plant alive for a long time. Dormant seeds are another ‘trick’ water plants use to survive.