Phenolic contents of submerged, emergent and floating leaves of aquatic and semi‐aquatic macrophyte species: why do they differ?

Abstract

The phenolic content of leaves of 40 aquatic and semi‐aquatic plant species, collected from stands distributed over the Netherlands was investigated. Species with submerged leaves showed a significantly lower phenolic content than species with emergent or floating leaves; the latter two showing no significant differences. Possible explanations for the observed differences are discussed in relation to defence strategies.