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Rooted floating plants are rooted in the lake bottom, but their leaves and flowers float on the water surface (water lilies). They are distinguished from non-rooted floating plants by having their roots footed in the substrate, while non-rooted floating plants are not in the substrate, but free in the water.
American lotus has leaves that are simple, round, bluish-green in color, up to 2 feet in diameter, attached to the stem in center. It has large yellowish flowers (to 10 inches across) with more than 20 petals.
Spatterdock has 8-16 inch long leaves that have a slit making them roughly heart-shaped. Flowers are yellow and can float on the water or stand above it.
Watershield has small, floating oval to elliptical leaves with no slit. Flowers are small, rise above the surface, and are dull-reddish in color.
The white water lily has rounded leaves 6 to 12 inches in diameter that float on top of the water. The flowers are brilliant white with yellow centers.
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