Marsh plants

The swamps were always surrounded by mystery. Remember the Russian folk tales in which they themselves, as well as the plants growing nearby, had a mystical power.

What are these places so mysterious? Approximately 10% of the earth's surface is occupied by areas with a high level of moisture, capable of accumulating peat. When its level becomes thirty centimeters, the site turns into a swamp, which in nature performs the function of a natural water filter.

Many people think that nothing grows on the swamps, but this is misleading. The species composition of these areas is sometimes richer than forest. For the most part, these are moisture-loving plants that prefer places where there is heat, lots of sun and water. One of the most famous is the grassy marsh plant of the duckweed. It is this shallow emerald plant that densely covers the water surface near the shore in the warm period of the year, and in winter it sinks to the bottom of the reservoir, where in the form of a kidney waits for warmth.

Marsh plants can be divided into several groups. Microphytes living at the very bottom of the swamp (approximately 6-meter depth). Macrophytes live in the water column (further 3 meters from the coastal zone). Plants of the first level inhabit the water space at a distance of one and a half to three meters from the shore. The next level is represented by plants that have occupied the water surface near the shore. But in the immediate vicinity of the water trees and shrubs are growing, representing coastal vegetation.

Today, marsh plants are happy to use the owners of private houses to decorate their small artificial reservoirs. Gardeners are very fond of a marsh wetland, double golden flowers which in April will delight the eye with its splendor. Grapes of white or pink flowers in May you will enjoy trifol, otherwise known as a three-leafed watch. Of course, we can not ignore iris. In height, this magnificent plant reaches 1 meter. And dense powerful leaves and stunning beauty will not leave anyone indifferent. White, blue, bright yellow, purple and manganese cays of the airocus, so called iris, can be planted both in a body of water (the root layer of water should not exceed 30 centimeters) and in the moderately moist soil of the garden. These marsh plants will become your favorites. In June - July, the ordinary blossoms blossom. The rhizomes of this wonder plant are widely used by folk medicine. Ordinary shepherd will delight you with its white flowers from June to September. You can plant it at a depth of about 20 centimeters. But the broad-leaved cattail will suit you only if you own a fairly large pond, since the height of the plant reaches two meters. For a small pond, a small cattail will be more suitable, which in autumn will certainly attract attention to the cobs of flowers.

Among ornamental grasses that can grow in wet places, gardeners prefer manicure. He is appreciated for the elegant colors of yellow or white striped colors. This unpretentious plant loves heat, sun and moisture.

Among other things, there are a lot of trees and shrubs that prefer swampy soil. Planting alder, willow or birch near the pond, you will provide these trees with much needed life-giving moisture. Always there were blueberries and cranberries in the marshes - the favorite berries of the majority of Russians. Fine hedonoses of heather and Ledum also prefer over-saturated areas of moisture.

Many beautiful legends are composed of marsh plants. Some of them are poisonous, and some are considered medicinal. But anyway, the plants of the swamp will always impress the imagination with a variety of colors. No wonder many poets and composers were attracted to and attracted by the theme of the mystery of the marshes, their fascinating beauty. And marsh plants will always be a gift of wildlife.