What describes plants that extend above the surface of the water?

Emergent plants are defined as those that grow in water but extend above the surface. They are typically found in wetland areas, along the edges of ponds, lakes, or rivers, where their roots are submerged in water while the stems and leaves reach upward into the air. This ability to grow above the water’s surface helps these plants access sunlight and perform photosynthesis effectively.

Floating plants, in contrast, are those that float on the surface of the water without any part of their structure extending above it. Submergent plants are fully submerged in water and do not rise above the surface at all, making them distinguishable from emergent species. Nonselective herbicides are chemical agents that kill or damage plants indiscriminately, and do not pertain to any specific category of plants. Thus, emergent plants specifically describe those that rise above the water surface.