Marsh Wetlad

Marsh, type of wetland ecosystem characterized by poorly drained mineral soils and by plant life dominated by grasses. The latter characteristic distinguishes a marsh from a swamp, whose plant life is dominated by trees. The number of plant species in marshes is few compared with those that grow on well-watered but not waterlogged land. Grasses, grasslike sedges, and reeds or rushes are of major importance. Wild rice is of some commercial importance, but true rice is undoubtedly by far the most important marsh plant and supplies a major portion of the world’s grain.