Enumerate the morphological adaptations of hydrophytes.

Explanation

1) Roots may be absentor poorly developed. In some plants (Salvinia) submerged leaves compensate for roots.
2) Root caps are usually absent. In some amphibious plants which grow in mud, roots are well developed with root caps. In some plants root caps are replaced by root pockets.
E.g. : Eichhornia.
3) Roots if present, are generally fibrous, reduced in length, unbranched or poorly branched.
4) Stem is long, slender and flexible.
5) Leaves are thin and either long and ribbon shaped (vallisnaria) or long and linear (potamogeton) or finely dissected (caratophyllum).
6) Floating leaves are large and flat with their upper surfaces coated with wax (Nymphaea, Nelumbium).