Duckweed Habitat

Duckweed floating on a pond

Duckweed is a floating plant. It is "among the world's smallest flowering plants," as described on Washington's Department of Ecology website. This plant is bright green and shaped like a small, round disc. It has one root to absorb nutrients from the water. They grow together, either scattered on the surface of quiet bodies of water, or as a carpet on the water's surface.

Natural Habitat

Duckweed prospers in freshwater habitats where the water is still or moves slowly. Along the shoreline where water levels have dropped, duckweed is common. Duckweed also does well in wetlands. Because it is fragile, it requires calm waters. It can grow in water that is merely a few millimeters deep up to 3m deep.

Distribution

Duckweed is common worldwide, with the most diverse species in the subtropical and temperate regions. In summer it grows quickly, seeking out nutrient-rich bodies of water, such as swamps, ditches, ponds or water close to sewage treatment plants.

Water Temperature

Duckweeds survive in a wide range of temperatures, from about 42 degrees Fahrenheit to 92 degrees Fahrenheit. There tends to be more growth in warmer-water temperatures, though growth rate decreases past 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Water needs to have a pH between five and nine for duckweed to flourish.

Animals and Duckweed

Duckweed thrives on nutrient-rich habitats.

Many insects use duckweed as their home, but few feed on this plant. Common predators seem to be flatworms and ducks, snails, herbivorous fish (especially carp), and birds. Muskrats also eat duckweed, as well as occasionally pigs. Duckweeds grow abundantly in the habitats of crocodiles and alligators because their excrement provides a lot of nutrients.

Reproduction

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, duckweed "reproduces both vegetatively and sexually, flowering occurs sporadically and unpredictably." Inside the fruit are many ribbed seeds that can survive even if dry for long periods of time. In their natural habitat they germinate quickly.

References

• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
• Plants USDA
• Department of Ecology State of Washington
• University of Texas at Austin Native Plant Database