Freshwater Plants

A hydrophilic plant community can be found at Sloans Pond.

NPS Photo

All plants require water to survive, but some plants can only survive in areas that are perpetually wet, damp, or moist, and some grow only when completely submerged or surrounded by water. Plants that love water are sometimes called “hydrophilic” water-loving) plants.

 

Cattails thrive in wet areas.

NPS Photo

Abundance of Habitat

Mammoth Cave National Park has a significant number of wet places scattered throughout the park that provide excellent habitat for hydrophilic plants. The Green River flows for about 25 miles through the park, and the Nolin River for about 7 miles. In addition to these rivers, there are miles of streams and dozens of small ponds that provide habitat for freshwater plants.

Some of the most common aquatic plants include cattails, waterlilies (with their familiar lily-pads,) and water-loving wildflowers like cardinal flowers and arrowheads. Some species of trees and shrubs, such as black willows and buttonbush plants, only grow in the very wet areas.

A Valuable Resource

Aquatic plants comprise a valuable part of the ecosystem by providing food and cover for aquatic animals, removing carbon dioxide from the water, and replenishing oxygen. Aquatic plants also act as natural filters to help keep water clean and play a significant role in maintaining the physical integrity of wetlands by stabilizing soils, bottoms, and edges of waterways they inhabit.

 

Park Species List

Explore a sortable database of species found in the park.

NPSpecies