What type of pond plant is this?

Question

I was recently traveling in northern Florida, and I noticed a type of pond plant in the golf course ponds that was abundant in shallow water.

It was emergent (rooted underwater, but majority is out of the water) and flowering. The flowers were small and white, but the buds were very large, green, and round. The plant's stem was about 2 1/2 feet tall, but the leaves were only about 1 foot tall. The leaves were long, thin, and pointed, and grouped close together around the bottom of the stem. With permission, we dug a plant out to look at its roots. They were all about 1/2 a foot long, thick, and white.

I can't seem to identify it at all, and I have a project on pond plants. I'd like to use this plant if I can figure out what it is.

Thanks!

It's hard to tell what the flowers look like, because they are very wilted, but thanks for answering.

There are 3 petals on each flower.

Answer 1

Have to agree that there's not a lot to go on, but I'll takes some guesses. This could be a thin-leaved type of arrowhead like the grassy arrowhead or awl-leaved arrowhead. Both plants are found in Florida.

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SAGR
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SASU

Answer 2

Dear Just,
There is not enough information in your plant description to use a key to chase down what plant you have.. For example, the shape and number of stamens (pollen producing organ, also the pistil (the female ovary containing part. The number of petals and also the number of sepals (found below the petals,).
The size & color of each feature, mentioned above
Also are the petals or sepals are fused to each other.Are the stamens shorter of longer than the pistil, even or bigger. are any of these attached to the petals.
A good key is Baleys, & another whose name escapes me.
There is an easier way to identification. Get down to the botany or ecology department of local universities, & junior colleges in the area. Bring your plant specimen with you. There's a good chance that a person there can identify the plant on sight. If that does not work post the above details and I'll have a go at keying it out..
Good luck..
Doc. Dan.

Answer 3

sounds like anacharis. that's an oxygenator. they're stable flora to have. they regularly grant sufficient oxygen to help fish with out haing a bibbler or circulation water. I even have some in my nonetheless-water pond. If there seems to be severe quantities, that's not a great deal to rake out a gaggle and compost it. yet no could do away with them.