Duckweed

Duckweed comprises the subfamily Lemnoideae, which consists of free-floating aquatic plants that typically grow on or just beneath the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of fresh water and wetlands. These plants are exceptionally small, often consisting of a tiny rounded frond with a single root dangling in the water. Despite their minute stature, duckweeds are among the fastest-growing plants known to science, capable of doubling their biomass in a matter of days under optimal nutrient and temperature conditions. Because of this rapid growth rate, they play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems by providing essential food for various waterfowl, fish, and amphibians, while also serving as natural biofilters that absorb excess nitrogen and phosphorus from polluted water bodies. In recent years, duckweed has gained significant global attention as a sustainable alternative protein source for human consumption and animal feed.