Goliad Farms, LP - Lemna minor

Goliad Farms, LP

8497 FM 622
Goliad, Texas 77963

Voice 361.645.2252
Fax 361.645.2258
Email goliadfish@goliadfarms.com

Contents

Plants

Lemna minor, Duckweed

Lemna minor, Duckweed, is a North American species found growing in ponds continent wide, often completely covering the water's surface with its lime-green leaves.

Description: This tiny floating plant grows in small rosettes of 2-4 leaves (actually fronds since this plant is a fern). Once a rosette reaches 4 lime-green 1cm long leaves, it splits into two plants. Each rosette has small rootlets about 2.5cm (1 inch) long.

Environment: This plant tolerates pHs from 6.5 to 7.5. Optimum temperature ranges from 20-30°C (68-85°F) although it can tolerate much lower and higher temperatures.

Geographic Range: North America.

Uses: This species is attractive in its own right, but grows rapidly out of control and shades out other less robust plants. It is useful as a spawning medium for surface plant spawning fish such as some killifish. Many fish and some snails (e.g., apple snails) find this plant extremely tasty.

Care: This plant prefers bright light and given it grows lushly and rapidly. Otherwise, no special care is required. Reproduction is largely by division. Under good conditions, this plant can double daily.

Additional Information: None at present.

Additional Photos: None at present.