Common duckweed
Lemna disperma
Family: Araceae
What it is like
A herb which floats in water. The leaves can have a green or purple tinge. They are about 4 mm wide. The leaves are small and rounded and often grouped. It has fine roots 6 cm long. The flowers are very small and do not have petals.
There are 14 Lemna species. Also put in the family Lemnaceae.
Where it is found
It grows in temperate places. It grows in ponds and lagoons in still water which can be fresh or brackish. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Argentina, Australia, South America, Tasmania
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Plant, leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by throwing small amounts into still water especially in water rich in nitrates and slightly alkaline.
Up to 500,000 plants can fill one square metre of water surface.