Duckweed (Lema minor)

$8.50$19.00

Duckweed refers to a group of tiny, free-floating aquatic plants belonging to the family Lemnaceae (or sometimes included in the Araceae family under modern classification). These plants are among the smallest flowering plants on Earth.

Key Characteristics:

  • Size & Shape: Typically just a few millimeters in size. They appear as small green discs or oval fronds floating on the surface of still or slow-moving water.

  • Growth: They reproduce rapidly, mainly through asexual budding. Under ideal conditions, they can double in population in just a few days.

  • Habitat: Found on the surface of freshwater ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow streams worldwide.

  • Roots: Some species have tiny rootlets that hang into the water, while others may lack roots entirely.

Ecological Role:

  • Water Purifier: Duckweed can absorb excess nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorus), helping reduce algal blooms.

  • Habitat: Provides shelter for small aquatic creatures and a food source for waterfowl and some fish.

  • Oxygen Depletion Risk: If overgrown, it can block sunlight from reaching underwater plants and deplete oxygen levels.

Uses:

  • Bioremediation: Helps clean polluted water.

  • Biofuel & Biomass: Studied as a renewable source of energy.

  • Animal Feed: High in protein, used as livestock or fish feed.

  • Human Food: Certain species are edible and consumed in parts of Southeast Asia.

SKU: FDUCK Category:

Additional information

Available Quantities

1 lb, 1/4 lb