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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Spirodela polyrrhiza (Common duckmeat)
Romfh, Peggy

Spirodela polyrrhiza

Spirodela polyrrhiza (L.) Schleid.

Common Duckmeat, Giant Duckweed

Lemnaceae (Duckweed Family)

Synonym(s): Lemna polyrrhiza, Spirodela polyrhiza, Spirodela polyrrhiza var. masonii

USDA Symbol: SPPO

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), HI (N), PR (N), CAN (N)

This is the largest of the duckweeds.
Because Duckweed is largely made up of metabolically active cells with very little structural fiber, the tissue contains twice the protein, fat, nitrogen, and phosphorus of other vascular plants. Each frond absorbs nutrients through the whole plant and not through a central root system, directly assimilating organic molecules such as simple carbohydrates and various amino acids. With the entire body of the duckweed composed of non-structural, metabolically active tissue, most photosynthesis is devoted to the production of protein and nucleic acids, making them very high in nutrional value.
Natural populations of duckweeds are usually mixtures of several species. (Rook)

 

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Floats on the surface of the water.
Fruit: Utricle.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Flowering is very rare. Flowers are inconspicuous, lacking petals or sepals. Flowers are contained in pouches near the base of the plant.

Distribution

USA: DC , IN , OR
Canada: NB , NS , PE , SK

Growing Conditions

Aquatic: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: OBL OBL OBL OBL OBL OBL OBL OBL OBL
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Spirodela polyrrhiza in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Spirodela polyrrhiza in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Spirodela polyrrhiza

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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