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An illustration of duckweed. Duckweed is an important food source for waterfowl and are eaten by humans in some parts of Southeast Asia (as khai-nam). Some duckweeds are used in freshwater aquariums and ponds where they may spread rapidly, although in a large pond they may be difficult to eradicate once established. The plants can provide nitrate removal (if cropped) and cover for fry. The plants are used as shelter by pond water species, such as bullfrogs and bluegills. The duckweeds are important in the process of bioremediation because they grow rapidly, absorbing excess mineral nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphates. A cover of duckweeds will reduce evaporation of water compared to a clear surface.

Duckweed

An illustration of duckweed. Duckweed is an important food source for waterfowl and are eaten by humans…

An illustration of duckweed. Duckweed is an important food source for waterfowl and are eaten by humans in some parts of Southeast Asia (as khai-nam). Some duckweeds are used in freshwater aquariums and ponds where they may spread rapidly, although in a large pond they may be difficult to eradicate once established. The plants can provide nitrate removal (if cropped) and cover for fry. The plants are used as shelter by pond water species, such as bullfrogs and bluegills. The duckweeds are important in the process of bioremediation because they grow rapidly, absorbing excess mineral nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphates. A cover of duckweeds will reduce evaporation of water compared to a clear surface.

Duckweed

An illustration of duckweed. Duckweed is an important food source for waterfowl and are eaten by humans…

Common duckweed, <em>Lemna</em>. The entire plant is reduced to a leaf-like expansion which bears a long slender root and small flowers; forms green floating scum on ponds and stagnant pools.

Duckweed

Common duckweed, Lemna. The entire plant is reduced to a leaf-like expansion which bears a…

An illustration of duckweed inflorescence containing two male flowers each of one stamen and a female flower, the whole enclosed in a sheath. Duckweed is an important food source for waterfowl and are eaten by humans in some parts of Southeast Asia.

Duckweed Inflorescence

An illustration of duckweed inflorescence containing two male flowers each of one stamen and a female…

Duckweed is the common name of lemna minor. The fronds are usually cohering in threes and fours. The fronds are rather thick.

Duckweeds

Duckweed is the common name of lemna minor. The fronds are usually cohering in threes and fours. The…

Pictured are floral details of lemna minor, a variety of duckweed. (aa) stamens and (b) pistil.

Lemna Minor

Pictured are floral details of lemna minor, a variety of duckweed. (aa) stamens and (b) pistil.

Lemnaceae is a family of flowering plants, also known as the duckweed family, as it contains the duckweeds or water lentils. Since duckweeds are now considered to be a branch of the arum or aroid family (Araceae), the name 'Lemnaceae' is rapidly falling out of use among taxonomists, who treat it as a subfamily called Lemnoideae.

Lemnaoideae

Lemnaceae is a family of flowering plants, also known as the duckweed family, as it contains the duckweeds…