What is Duckweed?
Duckweed (Lamnaceae) are the smallest flowering aquatic plants with a worldwide distribution. Wolffia, Spirodela, and Lemna are three genera in this botanical family. These plants float on the surface of the water as it warms and are mostly all leaf with one or more thread like legs extending downward to absorb nutrients. When water temperatures decline this plant produces a turion and sinks to the bottom of the pond where it remains dormant until spring. Duckweeds are a great food source for a variety of fish and animals with a protein content between 14% -45%. These are fascinating plants with a bad reputation. They grow so rapidly if the conditions and nutrients are available and will cover the entire surface of your pond making it look like a sea of green.
