Which aquatic plant is easily recognized by its branched stem and whorled leaves?

The aquatic plant that is easily recognized by its branched stem and whorled leaves is Elodea. Elodea is a submerged aquatic plant commonly found in freshwater environments. Its distinctive feature is the arrangement of leaves in whorls around the stem, which can be seen even under water. This characteristic helps in identifying Elodea among other aquatic species.

In contrast, Watershield has floating leaves and is characterized by its shield-shaped leaves. Watermeal is a very small floating plant that resembles a grain of rice and does not have the branched stem or whorled leaves typical of Elodea. Duckweed also floats on the water's surface and consists of small, round leaves, lacking the upright, branched structure that characterizes Elodea. Understanding these distinguishing features can help one easily identify Elodea in aquatic environments.