Plants/ Contents

Aquatic flowering plants

Cheksum Supiah Tawan

Aquatic flowering plants are those that require the presence of permanent or semipermanent water bodies for their establishment, growth, reproduction and survival. In Malaysian flora, about 216 plant species in 30 families have adopted this way of life. These include both monocotyledonous plants, such as duckweed, jerangau, keladi bunting and sedges, as well as dicotyledonous plants like kangkong, lotus and water lilies. Although considered noxious weeds when they choke up water bodies, they are also used as food, medicine, fertilizer, ornamentals and are raw materials for various types of handicrafts.

  • Information in the full article includes
  • Habitat
  • Adaptations and growth characteristics
  • Uses
Lotus flower

Lotus flower buds are harvested by the Chinese and used as offerings to the Goddess of Mercy, Kwan Yin.