What type of plants are characterized by being rooted in soil with most of the leaf-stem tissue above water?

Emersed plants are defined by their growth habit, where they are rooted in the soil but have most of their leaf and stem tissue above the water's surface. This adaptation allows them to photosynthesize effectively in the air while still being anchored in aquatic environments. Common examples of emersed plants include various species of reeds and rushes that thrive in wetland areas.

In contrast, submersed plants grow entirely underwater and are adapted to life below the water's surface, often playing crucial roles in aquatic ecosystems. Floating plants are those that float on the water's surface, with roots that may be submerged but not secured in the soil, such as water lilies. Free-floating plants are similar but lack any form of anchoring roots, freely drifting in the water column. Each of these other types of plants is adapted to different ecological niches, which is why they do not fit the description provided in the question.