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Common Duckweed
Also known as: Water Lentil
Common Duckweed (Lemna minor) are the smallest flowering plants on the planet. The plant is an important food source for both fish and waterfowl. Common Duckweed is used to counteract the effects of agricultural runoff because it removes excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus from waterways.
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Weeds
Weed or not
Summer
Harvest Time
15 cm
Plant Height
15 m
Spread
Green
Leaf Color
1 mm
Flower Size
White, Yellow, Green
Flower Color
Semi-evergreen
Leaf type
20 - 35 ℃
Ideal Temperature
Summer
Growth Season
Rapid
Growth Rate

Images of Common Duckweed

Attributes of Common Duckweed

Growth Rate
During the summer, common Duckweed exhibits a rapid growth rate resulting in a noteworthy increase in its biomass. This swift growth reflects in the production of dense, vibrant mats of connected fronds, implying a rise in the photosynthetic activity. Variable in other seasons, its summer prolificacy provides valuable shelter for aquatic life.

Distribution of Common Duckweed

Distribution Map
Common Duckweed is a widespread plant with a native range encompassing temperate and tropical regions across Eurasia, Northern Africa, and North America. It has been introduced to many parts of Europe and has extended its reach to environments harmonious with its growth conditions, adapting to areas as diverse as Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and regions within South America.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Introduced
No species reported
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Habitat
Still water
Hemisphere Trend Curve

Toxicity

The common Duckweed plant contains calcium oxalates, causing mouth burning, swelling, and gastrointestinal upset when ingested. Contact leads to severe skin irritation. It also accumulates nitrates and heavy metals, posing additional health risks, especially for those with preexisting conditions like rheumatism, arthritis, gout, and kidney stones.
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Weed Control

Common Duckweed has a cosmopolitan distribution, including the Americas. It has been used to improve water quality and they attract a wide variety of pollinators. However, it has also been identified as invasive or weedy throughout its range. It grows rapidly, forming dense mats across the water's surface. This is typically accomplished by vegetative reproduction as the plant voraciously produces offshoots. Control is often difficult due to its aquatic growth, but aquatic herbicides can be effective. Hand pulling can also be effective at reducing the impact of common Duckweed infestations, but its vegetative growth habits can allow it to persist if the entire plant is not removed.
How to Control It
The best season to remove common Duckweed is summer. This weed should ideally be removed before it has reached its peak flowering and seed dispersal stage to prevent it from rapidly propagating in your garden.
  1. Manual Removal: Using a fine mesh net or pond skimmer, gently skid across the surface of the water to collect common Duckweed. Remember to ensure you've removed most of the common Duckweed from your pond or water body. Be patient, as this might require several rounds over some weeks.
  2. Biological Control: Domesticated waterfowls, particularly ducks, are great biological control agents because they love to feed on common Duckweed. By introducing ducks to the ecosystem, you can efficiently control the population of common Duckweed. Monitor the ducks to ensure they're eating the duckweed and not harming other parts of the ecosystem.
  3. Floating Plant Introduction: Introduce floating aquatic plants like water hyacinths and water lettuce that can compete with common Duckweed for the same nutrients, and effectively inhibit its growth. Make sure to monitor these introduced plants so they themselves don't turn into an invasive problem.
  4. Barley Straw: Place a small mesh bag of barley straw in the pond or water body. As the straw decomposes, it releases a compound that prevents the growth of common Duckweed without harming other plants or animals.
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Quickly Identify Common Duckweed

1
Tiny white flowers, 0.04 inches (1 mm) in diameter, inconspicuously nestled within foliage.
2
Smooth, delicate stem, less than 0.04 inches (1 mm) wide, supporting flat, floating fronds.
3
Distinctive green thalli leaves, 1/4 inch (6.35 mm), with ovate shape and three visible veins.
4
Small, green fruit utricles, 1-2 mm, usually overlooked, housing one to few seeds.
5
Solitary fronds not exceeding 0.2 inches (5mm) width, forming dense floating layers.
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RELATED: How to identify Common Duckweed

Care Guide for Common Duckweed

Every week
Water
Full sun
Sunlight
20 - 35 ℃
Ideal Temperature
Garden Soil
Soil Type
Water: Common Duckweed thrives in high humidity and native water bodies like ponds. It tolerates water-logged conditions, requiring weekly watering to maintain moisture. Best grown outdoors in water-filled containers, it captures the essence of a mini pond, enhancing its aquatic characteristics.
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