Which aquatic plant type is attached to sediment with leaves that float on the water surface?

The characteristic of being attached to sediment while having leaves that float on the water surface defines the rooted-floating aquatic plant type. These plants have their roots anchored in the substrate, allowing them to draw nutrients from the sediment, but their leaves extend above the water, providing benefits such as light capture and gas exchange. This growth strategy enables them to thrive in various aquatic environments, delineating them from free-floating plants, which lack root systems and float independently on the water surface. Emersed plants are rooted but grow above the waterline, and submersed plants are fully underwater, not having floating leaves. Thus, the identification of rooted-floating plants is crucial for understanding the ecological dynamics of aquatic ecosystems and managing aquatic vegetation effectively.