Wolffia arrhiza - Least Duckweed

Family:	Lemnaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.01
Width:	0.01
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe to Asia. N. America - Minnesota to Ontario and S.W. Quebec.

Wolffia arrhiza (Least Duckweed) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.01m and a width of 0.01m . It has a hardness rating of 7.
Least Duckweed will flower in July to June. the seeds ripen from July to June
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Least Duckweed will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Least Duckweed prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Least Duckweed should not be planted in shady areas.

Floating on quiet waters[204].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant

Cultivation Details

A pond plant, floating on the surface of the water, it requires a sunny position in still water that is rich in nitrates and lime[200]. At the limit of its climatic range in Britain and probably best grown in a cold water aquarium[200]. It over-winters in temperate areas by means of resting buds which sink to the bottom of the pond in the late autumn and rise again in the spring[200]. One of the smallest flowering plants in the world, it is cultivated as a vegetable in Burma, Laos and Thailand[183]. It has been recommended for commercial cultivation, especially in tropical areas, because of its rapid multiplication and high nutritional value[183]. Plant densities of over two million plants per square metre have been found[274].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 4/5
Leaves - cooked. An excellent flavour, they taste somewhat like a sweet cabbage[183]. The leaves are very nutritious, containing about 20% protein, 44% carbohydrate. 5% fat and are rich in vitamins A, B2, B6, C and nicotinic acid[183].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but, since it can spread rapidly by division, it really needs no extra help once it is in a pond.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

Flora of Canada
Livingstone. B.
Author: Livingstone. B.
Rating:
Publisher : In 4 volumes, it does not deal with plant uses but gives descriptions and habitats.
Date of Publication : 1978

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