Lemna minor is a small aquatic plant which is also known as common duckweed or lesser duckweed. It belongs to the clade Angiosperms under family Araceae. John Edward Gray first described this family in 1821. It is a small, floating aquatic plant that is native to North America. It can be found in slow-moving streams and ponds, and typically grows in colonies of dozens or hundreds of plants and floats on the surface of the water.
It is an ideal aquarium plant because it is easy to care for and does not require a lot of light or nutrients. They require relatively cool water temperatures (64-86 degrees F), low levels of light, moderate amounts of fertilizer, and clean water conditions. Lemna minor aquarium plants provide many benefits for aquarists including: reducing algae growth; providing food for fish; acting as a natural filter; and serving as a habitat for beneficial invertebrates.
Systematic Position
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Genus: Lemna
Species: Lemna minor
Physical Appearance
Lemna minor can be found in many different colors, including green, red, and purple. It typically grows to between 1 and 2 inches in height, but can reach up to 4 inches under ideal conditions. It has a simple stem with two, three or four leaves that float on the surface of the water. The leaves are round to oval in shape, and measure 1-2 inches in diameter. Each leaf contains single root (1-2 cm long) which is hanged in the water.
Limna minor plants also have a long blooming season, which means you will get plenty of color from them throughout the year. They rarely produce flower which is 1 mm in diameter. It comes in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, red, and white, so you can find the perfect plant to match your aquarium’s color scheme.
Habitat and Distribution
It has sub cosmopolitan in distribution. It is indigenous to Asia, Africa, North America and Europe. It does not occur in arctic and subarctic regions. In nature, it is found in slow-moving streams and freshwater ponds.
Lemna minor (Common Duckweed) Quick Facts
Scientific Name: Lemna minor
Common Name: common duckweed or lesser duckweed
Growth rate: Very fast
Placement in Tank: Floating
Lighting Requirement: moderate
Water pH: 6.5 – 7.5
Water Hardness: Soft to hard (2-15 dGH)
Water Temperature: 64 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit
Fertilizer Requirement: Low to medium
Propagation/Reproduction: By division
Care level: Easy
Housing and Care Facts
Tank Size
This plant is easy to care for and does not require much space. In fact, a small tank or even a jar can be used to grow duckweed. For proper growth and development of your plant, 1 gallon size tank is appropriate. In this case, you should use nano aquariums.
Lighting Requirement
Lemna minor is one of the most popular aquatic plants due to its ease of care. It is perfect for beginners because it does not require much fertilizer, but still looks great in an aquarium. Lemna minor is a hardy species that does well in most water parameters. It prefers moderate light levels and nutrients but can tolerate low or high lighting in order to grow properly if necessary. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least 2 watts per gallon of light for aquarium plants grown indoors under fluorescent lights.
Water Temperature
This plant does well in a variety of conditions, making it a good option for both beginner and experienced aquarists. The water temperature should range from 64 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit; however, the plant can adapt to warmer or cooler temperatures if needed.
Water pH
Duckweeds also prefer pH that should be ranged between 6.5 and 7.5. But it can survive with pH of 5.0 and 9.0.
Water Hardness
It requires soft to hard water. For better growth and development, the hardness should be between 2 and 15 dGH.
Fertilization and CO2
Duckweed can be grown in any type of water, including tap water, but it will do best in nutrient-rich soil or compost tea. It requires very little maintenance and will thrive with regular fertilization using liquid fertilizer products specifically designed for aquatic plants. In this case, fertilize your tank once every two weeks with liquid fish food or an algae-based fertilizer. Regular water changes are also necessary for keeping your tank healthy and free from pollutants. It does not require CO2 supplementation.
Tankmates
Duckweed is a great plant for small fish and invertebrates. It is low-maintenance and can thrive in a variety of water conditions. Some good tankmates for duckweed include guppies, swordtails, platys, tetras, mollies, Cory catfish, loaches and shrimp.
Exciting Facts
• Duckweed acts as a bioremediator by eradicating heavy metals (Zn, As, Cu, Cd, Pb, etc);
• It also acts as water purifiers;
• In many cases, Limna minor is used in biomedical and genetic researches;
• It plays an important role to do water conservation by covering the water surface and prevent significant evaporation;
• It provides potential protein sources for the people of Southeast Asia;
• It also provides foods for ducks and broiler chickens;
• It offers more protein sources than soybean for the fish and other aquatic organisms;
Propagation/Reproduction
It is very easy to propagate and can be grown in any type of aquarium. Duckweed can be propagated by dividing the plants into smaller clumps. The best time to divide duckweed is when it is actively growing new leaves. The plant can be divided into smaller clumps by gently pulling it apart with your fingers.
To propagate duckweed, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the stem just below the leaves. Be sure to leave at least one leaf attached to each stem fragment so that it will have enough energy stored up to start growing again.
To propagate duckweed, you will need a small container filled with water and some duckweed plants. The plants can be either attached or free-floating. If the plants are attached to the bottom of the container, simply cut them off and place them in another container filled with water. If the plants are free-floating, just scoop them up into another container filled with water.
The key to propagating duckweed is keeping the water level high enough so that the new plants will not dry out before they have a chance to take root. You may also want to add some fertilizer to help promote growth. Within a few days, you should start seeing new shoots growing from the old plants.
To grow duckweed at home, fill a container with room-temperature water and add some soil or compost tea. Place the Lemna minor plants on top of the soil or tea and keep the container in full sun light. The plants will start to reproduce quickly and will need to be harvested regularly so they don’t take over the tank.
Benefits of Lemna minor
There are many benefits of Limna minor plants. They are a great addition to any aquarium, ponds, garden, and can be used in a variety of ways. Duckweed is generally considered to be a pest when it is grown in wild condition but it can be beneficial in an aquarium setting. It helps to stabilize the environment by consuming nitrates and phosphates, which can cause algae blooms. Duckweed also provides food for fish and invertebrates.
It is an excellent source of protein for fish and other aquatic creatures and it can be used to purify waste water. It also helps to oxygenate the water and reduce algae growth.
This plant has been used for centuries as food for livestock and poultry. Duckweed also has many medicinal properties and has been used to treat a variety of diseases.
Duckweed contains high levels of protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is an excellent source of nutrition for both humans and animals. Duckweed can be eaten fresh or dried and stored for later use. It can be added to soups or salads, or cooked like spinach. Duckweed is also available in capsule form for those who do not want to eat it fresh.
They don’t require a lot of water or sunlight, so they’re perfect for people who don’t have a lot of time to spend on their gardens.
These plants add color and life to any space. Their vibrant leaves and flowers make them an attractive addition to any aquarium, ponds, garden or landscape design.
One of the biggest benefits of these plants is that they are drought tolerant. This makes them perfect for gardens in areas that experience periods of drought. They also do well in soil that is not fertile, making them an ideal choice for gardens with poor soil quality.
Limna minor plants can be used in many different ways. You can use them as ground cover, border plants, or even hanging baskets.
Finally, Limna minor plants are beneficial to wildlife because they provide food and shelter for birds and other animals. This makes them an important part of any ecosystem.
Problems with Limna minor
Duckweed is a common water weed that can become an invasive species in some areas. It is not typically considered to be a troublesome plant, there are several problems that can occur with Limna minor plants.
Duckweed is a nuisance to many people because it can quickly cover the surface of water bodies, making them difficult to navigate or use for recreation.
The first problem is that they can often form dense colonies in waterways, which can impede water flow and reduce the quality of the water. Additionally, their leaves can create a lot of algae growth, which makes the water look murky and unappealing.
Another issue with this plant is that they are capable of trapping small fish and other aquatic creatures in their underwater traps. This often leads to these creatures becoming trapped and dying within the plants.
Duckweed can also be a problem because it often carries diseases that can affect other plants or animals. One such disease is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas solanacearum.
This bacterium causes blight on potatoes and tomatoes, as well as wilt in tobacco plants. It can also cause leaf spot on beans and peas, black rot on cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi, and stem rot on eggplant. The symptoms of this disease include wilting leaves, black lesions on stems and leaves, and rotting fruit.
The best way to control this disease is with cultural practices such as crop rotation. Sanitation measures such as cleaning up debris from fields after harvest help too. If these measures are not effective, then chemical controls may be necessary.
Diseases and Control Measures
Diseases of Limna minor plants are a serious problem for water gardeners. Diseases are caused by a number of different pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These diseases can cause significant damage to the plants, leading to reduced growth or even death. Some common diseases of Limna minor include fungus gnats, bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, and virus yellows.
The most common disease is called “fungus gnats” or “sciarid flies”. These tiny black flies lay their eggs in the soil, and the larvae feed on the roots of the plants, causing them to wilt and die.
The best way to prevent fungus gnat problems is to use sterile potting mix or well-aged compost instead of regular garden soil. You can also treat your plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil if you see any signs of infestation.
One common disease that affects Limna minor plants is bacterial leaf spot. This disease is caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria and results in the development of small black spots on the leaves of the plant. The spots may eventually grow together and cover large areas of the leaf surface, ultimately leading to its death. The lesions are typically small and round in shape, and they may be surrounded by a yellow halo. Bacterial leaf spot can be treated with antibiotics such as streptomycin or tetracycline; however, it is important to treat all plants in the area since this disease is highly contagious.
Another common disease affecting Limna minor plants is powdery mildew. This fungal infection is caused by Sphaerotheca fuliginea and results in a white powdery growth on various parts of the plant, including leaves, stems and flowers. If left untreated, powdery mildew can cause extensive damage to the plant tissue and may lead to its death. This disease occurs in warm climates and humid environments. The fungus can also infect flowers and fruits resulting in discoloration or distortion. Powdery Mildew can be treated with fungicides such as chlorothalonil; however care must be taken not spray neighboring healthy plants with the fungicide.
Virus yellows is a viral infection that affects many types if vegetables crops. The virus responsible for virus yellows belongs to the genus Begomovirus, and there are several strains of this virus which attack different host plants. Symptoms of virus yellows include light green mottling of the leaves, which may turn yellow an later die; stunted growth; and abnormal flower development. There is no cure for these symptoms and the plants will usually die within weeks or months after becoming infected. Prevention of virus yellows includes using certified seeds and practicing good sanitation measures.
Pruning Lemna minor
Pruning Common Duckweed is an important part of keeping this weed from taking over your pond or water garden. It can be done by hand, using a scissors or clippers, but it’s much easier and faster with a weed trimmer. Simply cut the stem as close to the root as possible and then dispose of the plant in the trash. Make sure to wear gloves when doing this, as duckweed can cause skin irritation.
Concluding Remarks
Lemna minor is a small aquatic plant which is also known as common duckweed or lesser duckweed. It can be found in ponds and slow-moving streams. It grows quickly and can form dense colonies that can choke out other plants. This makes it an ideal candidate for use in aquariums as a natural filter.
This plant is a great choice for any planted tank. It is an easy-to-care-for species that will grow quickly and help to oxygenate the water. This plant does well in a variety of conditions, making it a good option for both beginner and experienced aquarists. This plant reproduces by sending out runners that will form new plants; it can also produce small seeds that will float away and germinate elsewhere.