Which plant type is rooted in the bottom but extends above the water surface?

Emersed plants are those that are rooted in the substrate at the bottom of a water body but have stems and leaves that extend above the water's surface. This growth form allows these plants to access both aquatic environments below and the aerial environment above, enabling them to capture sunlight and exchange gases effectively. This dual habitat adaptation is key for their survival and growth.

In contrast, submersed plants are entirely underwater, floating plants either float freely on the water surface or may have limited root systems that do not anchor deeply, and non-rooted aquatic plants do not have roots at all, making them unable to establish themselves in the substrate. Each of these categories plays a unique role in aquatic ecosystems, but emersed plants are specifically characterized by their ability to grow rooted yet extend above the water, fulfilling distinct ecological functions.