Description

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.