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Lemna minor - L.                
                 
Common Name Duckweed
Family Lemnaceae
Synonyms
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Still water[17]. Mesotrophic to eutrophic, quiet waters, in suboceanic, cool-temperate regions with relatively mild winters[270].
Range A cosmopolitan plant, found in most regions of the world, including Britain, absent from Tropics.
Edibility Rating  
Medicinal Rating  
Care
Fully Hardy Water Plants Full sun

Summary       

Physical Characteristics       
 
Lemna minor is a PERENNIAL.
It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jun to July. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant)It is noted for attracting wildlife.


Suitable pH: neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water.
Lemna minor Duckweed


Lemna minor Duckweed
   
Habitats       
 Pond;
Edible Uses                                         
Edible Parts: Leaves.
Edible Uses:

Occasionally used as a vegetable[183]. No further details are given but we have found the flavour to be less than desirable[K].
Medicinal Uses


Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Alterative;  Antirheumatic;  Antiscorbutic;  Astringent;  Depurative;  Diuretic;  Febrifuge;  Homeopathy;  Ophthalmic;  Sedative;  Skin.


The whole plant is alterative, antipruritic, antiscorbutic, astringent, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge and soporific[176, 178, 240]. It is used in the treatment of colds, measles, oedema and difficulty in urination[176]. It is applied externally in the treatment of skin diseases and is used as a wash for ophthalmia[240]. The plant is used in homeopathy[240], but the report gives no more details.
Other Uses
Repellent.

The dried plant repels mosquitoes[178].
Cultivation details                                         
Requires a sunny position in still water that is rich in nitrates and lime[200]. Duckweed can be a troublesome pond weed though it is easily controlled by simply scooping it out[56, 200]. This scooped out material makes an excellent addition to the compost heap. The growing plant is a good food source for fish and birds, as well as providing cover for creatures in the pond[200]. Although it is towards the limit of its climatic range in Britain, it often flowers here if growing in a sheltered sunny position[17]. 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].
                                                                                 
Propagation                                         
Seed - we have no information on this species but, since it spreads so rapidly by division, it really needs no extra help once it is in a pond.
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Expert comment                                         
 
      
Author                                         
L.
                                                                                 
Botanical References                                         
17200
                                                                                 
Links / References                                         

  [K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
[56]Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants.
Deals with a wide range of plants for temperate areas (and indoor aquaria) with quite a lot of information on cultivation techniques.
[176]Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.
An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.
[178]Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica.
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.
[183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[240]Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
[270] Flora of N. America
An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.

Readers comment                                         
 
Elizabeth H.
uriceira Sun Jun 21 2009

The Charms of Duckweed An introduction to the smallest flowering plants

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