Lemna Minor

Type of plant: Hardy

Plant size: Small

Depth: 0 cm.

Flower type and color: na

Leaf spread: 0,5-1,0 meter

Flowering: na

Characteristics and comment: Lemna minor, commonly known as duckweed, is a tiny aquatic floating plant belonging to the Araceae family, characterized by extremely small dimensions and a highly dynamic behavior in aquatic environments.

Main characteristics:

1. Morphological Description

- Microscopic size, generally 1-8 mm in diameter

- Appears as small green "freckles" floating on water surface

- Simple structure composed of thin leaves and very short roots

- Bright green or yellow-green color depending on environmental conditions

2. Habitat and Growth

- Prefers stagnant or slow-moving waters

- Develops optimally in temperatures between 10-30°C

- Extremely rapid growth under favorable conditions

- Multiplies through budding and cell division

3. Aquatic Ecosystem Benefits

- Rapid ability to absorb nutrients from water

- Functions as a bioindicator of water quality

- Provides shelter and feeding zone for small aquatic organisms

- Contributes to oxygenation and natural water purification

4. Ecological and Ornamental Uses

- Ideal for decorating ponds and water gardens

- Important in nutrient excess control

- Used in phytoremediation systems

- Creates an aesthetic effect of a green carpet on water surface

5. Critical Aspects to Monitor

- Can multiply very quickly, risking complete water surface coverage

- Requires periodic checks to prevent excessive proliferation

- Should be manually removed when covering more than 50-60% of the surface

Precautions and Management:

- Regularly remove excess plants

- Avoid introducing into natural water courses

- Maintain balance with other aquatic species

- Periodically control coverage density

Specific Uses:

- Aquariology: natural water cleaning

- Agriculture: potential animal feed

- Scientific research: study of natural purification systems

Lemna minor is therefore a fascinating and multifunctional plant that offers numerous ecological benefits but requires careful management to prevent it from becoming invasive. Its ability to multiply rapidly makes it both a valuable resource and a potential risk for the aquatic ecosystem.

Warnings:

- Carefully manage its growth

- Constantly monitor surface coverage

- Use in controlled environments

Blog with cultivation information
YouTube channel with informational video for cultivation