Freshwater Plants

spatulate-leaved sundew or spoon-leaved sundew (Drosera intermedia)

NPS photo/Grace Kirk

Ponds, rivers, and streams, and other types of wetlands (marshes, forested wetlands, bogs, fens, and vernal pools) are important habitats within Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. They are essential habitats for a wide variety of aquatic and wetland plants, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and insects.

The different species of plants that grow in and next to the water depend on environmental factors such as the water chemistry, depth, geologic features, and soil. These plants are sensitive to changes in water quality as well as impacts of invasive species. Prevention and early detection of invasive plants and animals is key to keeping the waters at the monument healthy.

Wetland plants to look for during your visit:

• Yellow pond-lily (Nuphar variegata): typically found in shallow, slow-moving ponds.
• White water-lily (Nymphaea odorata): typically found in shallow, slow-moving ponds. The flowers can be found open during the morning and close by the afternoon.
• Horned bladderwort (Utricularia cornuta): look carefully in shallow ponds and bogs for this carnivorous plant. They usually bloom in July and August.
• Broadleaf Cattail (Typha latifolia): commonly found in marshes, ponds, and lakes. Typically blooms in late spring.
• Northern purple pitcherplants (Sarracenia purpurea): look carefully in fens and bogs for this carnivorous plant. The best time to see these plants is mid-spring when they flower with dark maroon petals.

Look for more species of plants to look for by searching the NPS species list. If you see anything suspicious or noteworthy, please report it to the natural resource manager at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.