Duckweed, page 2

Duckweed is common in ponds or anywhere the water is still or very slow-moving. It has tiny floating leaves with a single root hanging down into the water. This root gets nutrients directly from the water in the pond.

Duckweed up close. Duckweed is the smallest flowering aquatic plant and only grows in still or very slow-moving water.

Duckweed reproduces by plant division, and once it gets established it can cover large areas very quickly, especially if the water in the pond contains lots of nutrients (phosphorous and nitrogen).

Ducks and other waterfowl feed on duckweed, as do some fish. Fish hide in the cover provided by duckweed. In addition, duckweed is an important source of shade, which slows down the growth of other plants and algae, and also keeps water temperature lower than it might otherwise be.

When excess duckweed becomes a problem, it can be removed by mechanical harvesters, by aeration, by introducing grass carp, or by chemical controls. Even more important in control of duckweed is to limit the nutrients entering the pond. Runoff from fertilizer use is the most common problem.