n. pl. morÂ·pholÂ·oÂ·gies. 1. a. The branch of biology that deals with the form and structure of organisms without consideration of function. b. The form and structure of an organism or one of its parts: the morphology of a cell; the morphology of vertebrates. 2. Linguistics The study of the structure and form of words in language or a language, including inflection, derivation, and the formation of compounds.
Like algae, aquatic plants play a vital role in lake ecology because they provide cover, habitat, and food. However, too many plants can limit swimming, fishing, water skiing, boating, and aesthetic appreciation.
Most of the plants that live on the intertidal rocky shore, or under the water along our seashores, are algae. Most people call these algae plants seaweed, or kelp. There are a few underwater-living flowering plants, called seagrasses. They usually live in saltwater estuaries. Some also live along our ocean shores.