Lemna minor, commonly known as duckweed, is a small aquatic plant belonging to the family Araceae. This free-floating plant is typically found in still or slow-moving freshwater bodies, such as ponds, lakes, and streams. Notably, duckweed lacks traditional roots; instead, it features small, oval-shaped leaves with a single root-like structure called a "frond" hanging beneath them. Duckweed serves as a crucial food source for various aquatic animals, including fish and waterfowl. Additionally, it plays a vital role in the ecosystem by absorbing excess nutrients from the water, thereby helping to prevent algal blooms. Beyond its ecological contributions, duckweed has been used for various medicinal purposes, such as treating wounds, reducing fever, and improving digestion. Its high protein content also makes it an excellent food source for humans. In summary, Lemna minor is a fascinating aquatic plant with numerous ecological and medicinal benefits, making it an essential component of many freshwater ecosystems worldwide.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Perennial, Annual
- Genus
- Lemna
- Family
- Araceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 4-10
- Mature Height
- 15 cm
- Mature Spread
- 14.94 m
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Leaf Type
- Semi-evergreen
- Flower Color
- White, Yellow, Green
- Flower Size
- 0.10 cm
- Bloom Time
- Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer
- Planting Time
- Spring
- Harvest Time
- Summer
- Native Area
- Libya, India, Turkey, Sweden, Mexico, Slovakia, Montenegro, Pakistan, Slovenia, Croatia, Morocco, Belarus, Uganda, Germany, Ethiopia, Romania, Latvia, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Tunisia, Honduras, Philippines, Bulgaria, Ukraine, New Zealand, Chad, China, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Italy, Japan, Mongolia, Finland, El Salvador, Iran, Azerbaijan, Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Egypt, Austria, Malaysia, Yemen, Kenya, Uzbekistan, Russia, Iraq, Cambodia, Iceland, Estonia, Brazil, France, Tajikistan, Czech Republic, South Africa, Sudan, Armenia, Poland, Greece, Serbia, Lithuania, Norway, Hungary, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Bhutan, Albania, Ireland, United Kingdom, Algeria, Turkmenistan
Other names.
