Uses of Duckweed

Possibly the world's smallest flowering plant, duckweed (lemna minor) is a floating plant found worldwide. And because of its rich nutrients, it is becoming a popular plant in the food industry.

Description

Duckweed is a perennial green plant that has no stems or leaves. It is a vigorous grower in shallow ponds. The flowers of duckweed are tiny and white. Because of its fast growth rate, this plant can double in size in less than two days.

Pond Uses

Duckweed is sometimes used in ponds to control algae. Algae needs sunlight to grow and duckweed prevents this by spreading over the pond's surface, allowing the water to cool and retain oxygen. It is an important food source for fish and waterfowl.

Uses in the Food Industry

Compared with other plants, duckweed has more nutrients per weight. These nutrients, such as protein, phosphorous, nitrogen and fat, are fast becoming popular in the food industry. Duckweed is being cultivated as a fish and livestock feed. And because it grows in a smaller area than corn or soybeans, duckweed is being utilized as a protein-rich crop.

As a Water Purifier

Duckweed absorbs nutrients in water, acting as its own water purifier. It is being used in wastewater plant facilities.

Interesting Facts

Duckweed contains more protein than soybeans. Because of its dispersed by water, duckweed has been known to be carried by tornadoes.

References

• Duckweed
• Duckweed