Duckweed (Lemnaoideae)

English and Scientific Name: Duckweed (Lemnaoideae)

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Angiosperms

Class: Monocots

Observation: My first thought upon seeing this at the class trip was this looks like some sort of fungus.  Since it is in water I wonder what happens to it on ground?  It seemed to be grouped together so I assume that meant it was a lot.  It’s not like you can see 12 roses where you can count how many you have this duckweed looked as if you could only estimate how much was there and even that seems questionable.

Questions:

1.      Can it only live in water?

2.      Does it start out with stems and then fall off?

3.      With no stems how does it grow?

Scientific Research:

McLay, C.L. The Distribution of Duckweed Lemna Perpusilla in a Small Southern California Lake: An Experimental Approach, Ecology, Vol. 55, No. 2 (Mar., 1974), pp. 262-276.  Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1935215

Can it only live in water?

Duckweed is an aquatic plant and resides floating in water.  Additionally, it is an unrooted plant.

Websites:

http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/duckweed/duckweed.htm
http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/duckweed.htm
http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/resources/documents/DW/Dw2.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckweed