Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Alismatales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
microscopica
ID:
335137

Status:
valid

Authors:
(Griff.) Kurz

Source:
wcs

Year:
1866

Citation Micro:
J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 9: 265 (1866)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000334469

Common Names

  • Wolffia microscopica
  • Microscopic Watermeal
  • Microscopic Duckweed

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Description

Wolffia microscopica (also called Watermeal, among many other common names) is a small aquatic plant native to North America, Europe, and Asia. It is a free-floating plant that grows in still or slow-moving bodies of water, such as ponds, lakes, and marshes. It has a small, round, green body with a single root and a single flower, and is so small that it can only be seen with a microscope.

Uses & Benefits

Wolffia microscopica is used as a food source in some parts of the world, and is also used as a natural water purifier due to its ability to absorb nutrients from the water. It is also used as a natural fertilizer, as it is a fast-growing plant.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Wolffia microscopica has small, white, star-shaped flowers with five petals. The seeds are small and black. The seedlings have a single pair of oval-shaped leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Wolffia microscopica is a small, aquatic plant that can be propagated from seed. It prefers full sun and moist soil. It can be grown in a pond or aquarium, and can tolerate temperatures down to 0°C. It can be propagated by division in spring, and seeds can be sown in spring or autumn.

Where to Find Wolffia microscopica

Wolffia microscopica can be found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Wolffia microscopica FAQ

What is the scientific name of Wolffia microscopica?

Wolffia microscopica

What is the common name of Wolffia microscopica?

Microscopic Wolffia

What is the natural habitat of Wolffia microscopica?

Dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands

Species in the Araceae family

Adelonema erythropus, Adelonema allenii, Adelonema crinipes, Adelonema hammelii, Adelonema kvistii, Adelonema mofflerianum, Adelonema orientale, Adelonema pallidinervium, Adelonema panamense, Adelonema peltatum, Adelonema picturatum, Adelonema roezlii, Adelonema speariae, Adelonema wallisii, Adelonema wendlandii, Adelonema yanamonoense, Aglaodorum griffithii, Aglaonema brevispathum, Aglaonema chermsiriwattanae, Aglaonema cochinchinense, Aglaonema commutatum, Aglaonema cordifolium, Aglaonema costatum, Aglaonema densinervium, Aglaonema flemingianum, Aglaonema hookerianum, Aglaonema marantifolium, Aglaonema modestum, Aglaonema nebulosum, Aglaonema nitidum, Aglaonema ovatum, Aglaonema philippinense, Aglaonema pictum, Aglaonema pumilum, Aglaonema rotunda, Aglaonema simplex, Aglaonema tricolor, Aglaonema vittatum, Aglaonema robeleynii, Aglaonema birmanicum, Aglaonema nicobaricum, Aglaonema tassae, Alloschemone inopinata, Alloschemone occidentalis, Alocasia megawatiae, Alocasia chaii, Alocasia infernalis, Alocasia nycteris, Alocasia hypoleuca, Alocasia jiewhoei,

References

Wilhelm Sulpiz Kurz (1834-1878): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Kurz' in the authors string.
William Griffith (1810-1845): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Griff.' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:526280-1: Based on the WCVP April 2023 data release.