http://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/Lemna_minor Lemna minor (Common Duckweed or Lesser Duckweed) is a species of Lemna (duckweed) with a subcosmopolitan distribution, native throughout most of Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, occurring everywhere that freshwater ponds and slow-moving streams occur, except for arctic and subarctic climates. It is not reported as native in Australasia or South America, though is naturalised there.[1][2] It is a floating freshwater aquatic plant, with one, two or three leaves each with a single root hanging in the water; as more leaves grow, the plants divide and become separate individuals. The root is 1-2 cm long. The leaves are oval, 1-8 mm long and 0.6-5 mm broad, light green, with three (rarely five) veins, and small air spaces to assist flotation. It propagates mainly by division, and flowers are rarely produced; when produced, they are about 1 mm diameter, with a cup-shaped membranous scale containing a single ovule and two stamens. The seed is 1 mm long, ribbed with 8-15 ribs. [3][4][5]

It grows in water with high nutrient levels and a pH of between 5 and 9, optimally between 6.5 and 7.5, and temperatures between 6 and 33 C.[6] Growth of colonies is rapid, and the plant frequently forms a complete carpet across still pools when conditions are suitable. In temperate regions, when temperatures drop below 6 to 7 C it develops small, dense, starch-filled organs called 'turions', which become dormant and sink to the water bottom for winter; the following spring, these recommence growth and float back to the surface.[6][7] It is an important food resource for many fish and birds (notably ducks); it is rich in protein and fats.[6] Birds are also important in dispersing the species to new sites; the root is sticky, enabling the plant to adhere to the plumage or feet while the bird flies from one pond to another. [8] [edit] Cultivation and uses It is often used as a plant in both coldwater and tropical aquaria as well as in outdoor ponds, though it must be frequently cut back because of its rapid growth rate and may be considered a pest.[9] It is also grown as a commercial crop for animal feed, primarily for fish and poultry, as it is fast-growing and easy to harvest by surface skimming.[6] [edit] Population and Competition Lemna minor is structurally adapted to grow quickly. That enables it to populate bodies of water rapidly. It overcomes inter-species competition by growing a thick carpet over still water bodies, thereby shading out other plant species below it and eliminating the competition. With intra-specific competition, it will compete by absorbing as much of its surrounding resources as possible so that it has the energy to grow and reproduce.

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