Wolffia

Description

Wolffia is a genus of aquatic plants that belongs to the family Lemnaceae. It is commonly known as watermeal or duckweed, and is considered the smallest flowering plant on earth. This plant is so tiny that it can easily fit on the tip of a needle. Wolffia is found in freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. It can grow in both tropical and temperate regions of the world.

Taxonomic Information

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Angiosperms
Class	Monocots
Order	Alismatales
Family	Lemnaceae
Genus	Wolffia

Appearance

Wolffia is a tiny, oval-shaped plant that measures only 1-2 millimeters in length. It has no stem or leaves, but instead has a single root that grows from the bottom of the plant. The plant is green in color due to the presence of chlorophyll, which helps it to carry out photosynthesis. Wolffia produces small flowers that are barely visible to the naked eye.

Care Guide

Wolffia is an easy plant to care for and requires minimal maintenance. Here are some tips for taking care of your Wolffia:

• Water: Wolffia requires clean, freshwater to grow. Change the water regularly to prevent the buildup of algae and other contaminants.
• Fertilization: Wolffia does not require any special fertilization. It obtains its nutrients from the water it grows in.
• Soil: Wolffia does not grow in soil, but instead floats on the surface of water.
• Sunlight: Wolffia requires moderate to high levels of sunlight to carry out photosynthesis.
• Hardiness Zones: Wolffia can grow in a wide range of hardiness zones and is not affected by frost or cold temperatures.

Common Pests & Diseases

Wolffia is generally not affected by pests or diseases. However, it can sometimes be infested by mosquito larvae, which can be controlled by adding mosquito-eating fish to the water.

Habitat

Wolffia is found in freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. It can grow in both tropical and temperate regions of the world. Wolffia is a free-floating plant, which means it does not attach to the bottom of the water body it grows in. This allows it to easily move around and adapt to changing water conditions.

Question and Answer

Q: Can Wolffia be grown in an aquarium?

A: Yes, Wolffia can be grown in an aquarium as long as there is sufficient light and clean freshwater.

Q: Is Wolffia edible?

A: Yes, Wolffia is edible and is used as a food source in some cultures.

Q: How fast does Wolffia grow?

A: Wolffia can grow very quickly under favorable conditions, with some species doubling in size every 2-3 days.

Q: What is the ecological significance of Wolffia?

A: Wolffia is an important food source for many aquatic animals, and can also help to control the growth of algae in freshwater habitats.

Related Plants

• Lemna
• Spirodela
• Landoltia
• Pistia

References

• Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Wolffia. In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/plant/Wolffia
• Flora of North America. (n.d.). Wolffia Horkel ex Schleid. In Flora of North America. Retrieved November 30, 2021, from http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=134120
• USDA. (n.d.). Wolffia arrhiza (L.) Horkel ex Wimm. In PLANTS Database. Retrieved November 30, 2021, from https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=WOAR