August Aquatics

Wetlands play a crucial role in supporting wildlife, safeguarding coastal communities, and mitigating the urban heat island effect. New York City's 5,650 acres of freshwater and saltwater wetlands represent less that 5% of our historic wetlands. These vital areas serve as habitat for 156 species of native obligate wetland plants, including Swamp Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) and Broad-leaved Cattail (Typha latifolia), as well as nine state endangered species like Lowland Loosestrife (Lysimachia hybrida) (pictured above) and Yellow Flatsedge (Cyperus flavescens). How many of these wetland species can you find?

The nine state endangered wetland species are: Lowland Loosestrife (Lysimachia hybrida); Bearded Sprangletop (Diplachne fusca ssp. fascicularis); Taperleaf Waterhorehound (Lycopus rubellus); Yellow Flatsedge (Cyperus flavescens); Cattail Sedge (Carex typhina); Awl-fruited Sedge (Carex stipata); Frank's Sedge (Carex frankii); Floating Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides); and Annual Seepweed (Suaeda linearis)