Which aquatic plant type is rooted in sediment and extends above the water surface?

The choice identifying the correct type of aquatic plant is emersed. Emersed plants are characterized by being rooted in the sediment while their stems and leaves extend above the water's surface. This adaptation allows them to access air for photosynthesis, while their roots secure them in the substrate underwater.

In contrast, rooted-floating plants are typically anchored in sediment but have leaves and stems that float on the water's surface instead of extending above it. Submersed plants grow completely underwater and do not exhibit any portion above the water's surface. Free-floating plants are not rooted in the sediment at all; they float freely on the water's surface and are not anchored to the bottom. Each of these other types has distinct growth patterns that differentiate them from emersed plants, making the classification clear.