Frogbit

A frogbit is a spectacular aquatic plant. It usually floats on the surface of ponds, still water ways and lakes. This flowering aquatic plant belongs to the genus hydrocharis which originates from the family Hydrocharitacea. Usually in other countries all over the world like in North America it is usually called the common frogbit in order to help distinguish it from the related American frogbit. The frogbit plant floats on water surface of ponds. They usually resemble the small water lilies.

It may be very simple to confuse between the water lilies and the frogbit itself. The frogbit plant has rounded heart-shaped leaves which have smooth edges and is made up of a purplish color on the underworld. The green leaves grow to a height of approximately one to two inches. Their flowers are much smaller consisting of only three petals and can grow up to about 0.5inches.

There two known types of frogbit flowers- the female and the male. These types of flowers are generally bowl-shaped, white in color and consist of only three petals. The female frogbit flowers are solitary. Individual flowers have three broad ovate petals. This petal usually has a yellow spot on each petal base. On the other hand, the male frogbit flowers usually grow into a cluster of four blooms.

Pond plants like the lotus plants generally absorb nutrients which feed on undesirable algae. Aquatic gardeners have managed to keep fifty to seventy percent of a pond's surface covered with foliage. Frogbit plants are floaters on shallow water. The plants are generally easy to cultivate. This plant can also do well in an alcaninic environment with still shallow waters. The water base in which the plant grows should be deep enough for the plant to float.

Frogbit, aquatic lotus plant is a perennial plant which originates from the marshes and shallow waters of North Africa, Europe and West Africa. One of the greatest advantage of this plant is that it has the ability to provide shade beneath its water garden environment. This is important because it usually reduces the unwanted algae growth