The following photos will allow you to identify aquatic plants. Click on image to view plant details.
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Aegagropila-linnaei-480.jpg)
Marimo, Moss Ball
Origin: Europe, Japan, North America
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Aeschynomene-fluitans-480.jpg)
Giant Sensitive Plant, Giant Sensitive Fern
Origin: Tropical Africa
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Anemopsis-californica-480.jpg)
Apache-Beads, Yerba Mansa
Origin: North America, Mexico
![Anubias afzelii](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Anubias-afzelii.jpg)
Afzelius' Anubias
Origin: Africa (Senegal to Mali)
![Anubias barteri coffeifolia](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Anubias-barteri-coffeifolia.jpg)
Coffee Leaf Anubias
Origin: Only cultivated
![Dwarf Anubias](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Anubias-barteri-var.-nana-Pinto-5-480x480.jpg)
Dwarf Anubias
Origin: The wild type is native to Africa (Cameroon).
Height: 5 to 10 centimeters
![Anubias gigantea](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Anubias-gigantea.jpg)
Giant Anubias
Origin: Tropical Africa
![Anubias hastifolia](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Anubias-hastifolia.jpg)
Heart-Leaved Anubias
Origin: Africa (Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone)
![anubias heterophylla](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/anubias-heterophylla-480x480.jpg)
Anubias
Origin: Tropical Africa
![Anubias sp. Gabon](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Anubias-sp.-Gabon.jpg)
Dwarf Anubias
Origin: Unknown - Anubias species are native to tropical Africa.
![Aponogeton distachyos](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Aponogeton.jpg)
Cape-Pondweed, Water Hawthorn
Origin: South Africa
![baldellia ranunculoides](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/baldellia-ranunculoides.jpg)
Lesser Water-Plantain
Origin: Europe
![Bidens frondos](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Bidens-frondosa-1-480x480.webp)
Devil's Beggarticks, Common Beggar-Ticks
Origin: North America (Canada, USA) and as a neophyte also in Asia, Europe, New Zealand and North Africa
Height: 30 to 150 centimeters
![Blyxa japonica](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Blyxa-japonica.jpg)
Bamboo Plant
Origin: South Eastern Asia
![bolbitis heudelotii](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/bolbitis-heudelotii-480x480.jpg)
Congo Fern, African Water Fern
Origin: Tropical Africa
![Bucephalandra "Kapuas Hulu"](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Bucephalandra-Kapuas-Hulu-6-480x480.jpg)
Bucephalandra
Origin: All 31 Bucephalandra species are native to Borneo.
Height: 10 to 20 centimeters
![Butomus umbellatus](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Butomus.jpg)
Flowering Rush, Grass Rush
Origin: Asia, Europe, Northern Africa
![callitriche palustris](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/callitriche-palustris.jpg)
Water-Starwort
Origin: Asia, Europe, North America, North Africa
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Caulerpa-taxifolia-480.jpg)
Seaweed
Origin: Indian Ocean and as an invasive species also in the Mediterranean Sea.
![ceratophyllum demersum](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ceratophyllum-demersum.jpg)
Coontail, Hornwort
Origin: Nearly global
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Ceratopteris.jpg)
Water Sprite
Origin: Africa, Asia, Australia
![Cryptocoryne albida](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Cryptocoryne-albida.jpg)
Water Trumpet
Origin: India, New Guinea, Myanmar, Thailand, Borneo and others
![Cryptocoryne ciliata](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Cryptocoryne-ciliata.jpg)
Water Trumpet
Origin: India, New Guinea
![Cryptocoryne parva](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Cryptocoryne-parva.jpg)
Water Trumpet
Origin: Sri Lanka
![Cryptocoryne spiralis](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Cryptocoryne-spiralis.jpg)
Water Trumpet
Origin: India, Bangladesh
![Cryptocoryne walkeri](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Cryptocoryne-walkeri.jpg)
Water Trumpet
Origin: Sri Lanka
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Cryptocoryne-wendtiiGreen.jpg)
Water Trumpet
Origin: Sri Lanka
![Echinodorus Ozelot](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Echinodorus-Ozelot.jpg)
Sword Plant
Origin: Sword Plants are native from North to South America.
![Echinodorus Red Flame](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Echinodorus-Red-Flame.jpg)
Sword Plant
Origin: Sword Plants are native from North to South America.
![Echinodorus Regine Hildebrandt](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Echinodorus-Regine-Hildebrandt.jpg)
Sword Plant
Origin: Sword Plants are native from North to South America.
![echinodorus cordifolius](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/echinodorus-cordifolius.jpg)
Sword Plant, Texas Mud Baby
Origin: Sword Plants are native from North to South America.
![Echinodorus cordifolius Leopard](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Echinodorus-Leopard.jpg)
Sword Plant, Texas Mud Baby
Origin: Sword Plants are native from North to South America.
![Echinodorus cordifolius "Marble Queen"](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Echinodorus-Marble-Queen.jpg)
Sword Plant, Texas Mud Baby
Origin: Sword Plants are native from North to South America.
![Echinodorus decumbens](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Echinodorus-decumbens.jpg)
Sword Plant
Origin: Brasil
![Echinodorus sp](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Echinodorus.jpg)
Sword Plant
Origin: Echinodorus species are native to North and South America.
![Uruguay Schwertpflanze](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sword-plant.jpg)
Sword Plant
Origin: Brasil to Chile
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Egeria-densa-480.jpg)
Brazilian Waterweed, Dense Waterweed
Origin: South America
![Egeria najas](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Egeria-najas.jpg)
Narrow Leaved Elodea
Origin: South America
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Elodea-canadensis-480-480x480.jpg)
Canadian Waterweed, Pondweed, Duckweed
Origin: North America and as an invasive species also in Europe, North Africa and Australia, among other places.
![Elodea nuttallii](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Elodea-nuttallii.jpg)
Nuttall's Waterweed, Western Waterweed
Origin: North America
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Gymnocoronis-spilanthoides-480.jpg)
Senegal Tea Plant
Origin: Central to South America
![Hesperantha coccinea](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Hesperantha-coccinea.jpg)
River Lily, Crimson Flag
Origin: South Africa, Zimbabwe
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Hippuris-vulgaris-480.jpg)
Common Mare's Tail
Origin: Asia, Europe, America
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Houttuynia-cordata-480.jpg)
Chameleon Plant, Heartleaf
Origin: China, Bhutan, Japan, Nepal, Taiwan
![Hydrilla verticillata](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Hydrilla-verticillata.jpg)
Esthwaite Waterweed, Florida Elodea
Origin: Africa, Asia, Europe
![Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Hydrocotyle-sibthorpioides.jpg)
Lawn Pennywort, Water Pennywort
Origin: Africa, Asia
![Hydrocotyle Crystal Confetti](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Hydrocotyle-Crystal-Confetti.jpg)
Lawn Pennywort, Water Pennywort
Origin: The wild type is native to Africa and Asia.
![Lagarosiphon major](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Lagarosiphon-major.jpg)
African Elodea, Curly Waterweed
Origin: Africa
![Lemna minor](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Lemna-minor-480x480.webp)
Common Duckweed, Lesser Duckweed
Origin: Nearly global
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Limnobium-laevigatum-480.jpg)
West Indian Spongeplant, South American Spongeplant
Origin: Mexico to Argentina
![limnophila sessiliflora](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/limnophila-sessiliflora.jpg)
Dwarf Ambulia, Ambulis
Origin: Eastern Asia
![Lomariopsis lineata](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Lomariopsis-lineata-480x480.jpg)
Susswassertang
Origin: Tropical Asia
![Luronium natans](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Luronium-natans.jpg)
Floating Water-Plantain
Origin: Europe
![Lysimachia nummularia](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Lysimachia-nummularia.jpg)
Creeping Jenny, Moneywort
Origin: The wild type is native from Europe to Turkey and Caucasus.
![Mentha aquatica](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mentha-aquatica-480x480.jpg)
Water Mint
Origin: Africa, Asia (Caucasus, Western Asia), Europe and as an introduced species the Water Mint can also be found also in other regions, such as New Zealand, North America or Mexico.
Height: 20 to 80 centimeters
![Microsorum pteropus](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Microsorum-pteropus-480x480.jpg)
Java Fern
Origin: Subtropical to tropical Asia
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Myriophyllum.jpg)
Parrot's-Feather, Parrotfeather Watermilfoil
Origin: South America
![Guppy Grass](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Najas-guadalupensis-9-480x480.jpg)
Najas Grass, Guppy Grass
Origin: North America (Canada to Mexico), South America
Height: 20 to 150 centimeters
![Najas indica](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Najas-indica.jpg)
Najas Grass
Origin: Tropical and subtropical Asia
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Nuphar-lutea-480.jpg)
Yellow Water Lily, Brandy Bottle
Origin: Asia, Europe, Norhern Africa
![nymphaea alba](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/nymphaea-alba.jpg)
White Water Lily, White Lotus
Origin: Europe
![nymphaea colorata](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/nymphaea-colorata-480x480.jpg)
Water Lily
Origin: Africa
![nymphoides aquatica](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/nymphoides-aquatica.jpg)
Banana Plant, Banana Lilly
Origin: North America
![Nymphoides peltata](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Nymphoides-peltata.jpg)
Fringed Water Lily, Yellow Floating Heart
Origin: Europe to Asia
![Water Cabbage](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Pistia-stratiotes-9-480x480.jpg)
Water Cabbage, Water Lettuce, Nile Cabbage
Origin: Tropical and subtropical regions in Africa, Asia, Australia, North America and South America. The origin is not known.
Height: 20 to 30 centimeters
![pogostemon helferi](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/pogostemon-helferi.jpg)
Downoi
Origin: Asia (Burma, India, Thailand)
![Pontederia cordata](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Pontederia.jpg)
Pickerel-Weed
Origin: Canada to South America
![Potamogeton natans](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Potamogeton-natans.jpg)
Pondweed
Origin: Asia, Europe, North America
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Riccia.jpg)
Crystalwort
Origin: Nearly global
![Sagittaria australis Benni](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Sagittaria-australis-Benni.jpg)
Appalachian Arrowhead, Longbeak Arrowhead
Origin: "Benni" is a cultivar. Sagittaria australis is native to the USA.
![Sagittaria natans](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Sagittaria-natans.jpg)
Arrowhead
Origin: Europe to Japan
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Salvinia-auriculata-480.jpg)
Eared Watermoss, African Payal
Origin: Mexico to South America
![Salvinia molesta](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Salvinia-molesta-480x480.jpg)
Giant Salvinia, Kariba Weed
Origin: South America (probably), naturalized in other tropical and subtropical regions.
![](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Samolus.jpg)
Brookweed, Water Cabbage
Origin: Nearly global but not in Australia
![spirodela polyrrhiza](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/spirodela-polyrhiza.jpg)
Great Duckweed, Greater Duckweed
Origin: Nearly global
![Thalia geniculata](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Thalia.jpg)
Arrowroot, Fire-Flag
Origin: Tropical Africa, Central to South America
![Typha laxmannii](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Typha-laxmannii.jpg)
Graceful Cattail
Origin: Europe to Asia
![utricularia vulgaris](https://plantsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/utricularia-vulgaris-480x480.jpg)
Common Bladderwort, Geater Bladderwort
Origin: Africa, Asia, Europe