Morphology, growth and carbohydrate storage of the plant Typha angustifolia at different water depths

Morphological characteristics, growth and carbohydrate storage dynamics of Typha angustifolia in relation to water depth were investigated. The study was based on observations carried out in two stands, namely Akigase and Teganuma, for two growth seasons. The latter stand was about two times deeper than the former. Teganuma stands exhibited significantly higher number of thick shoots compared to those of Akigase. Conversely, the difference in shoot heights between the two stands was insignificant. The same was true for rhizome lengths. Rhizome diameters were significantly bigger for Teganuma compared to Akigase. Furthermore, both the above and belowground biomass were significantly higher for Teganuma compared to those of Akigase. Teganuma stands allocated 55% of the total biomass to the aboveground parts, while Akigase stands allocated 60%. Similarly, Teganuma exhibited significantly higher stocks of total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) compared to Akigase. The higher number of thick shoots and the relatively bigger rhizome diameters in Teganuma are seemingly important tolerance strategies in maintaining effective aeration into the rhizosphere, by reducing internal resistance. In addition, the higher TNC stocks and biomass help not only to enhance survival under anoxia for longer durations, they also provide firm substrate anchorage in the deeper Teganuma stands.