Christian Fischer
Family
Lemnaceae
Botanical Name
Lemna trisulca
Plant Common Name
Duckmeat, Frog's Buttons, Ivyleaf Duckweed, Star Duckweed
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
From late spring to fall frost, the still waters on ponds, lakes and the edges of slow-moving streams may reveal a floating mat of star duckweed. Native to the cool-summer areas of the Northern Hemisphere, star duckweed sinks to the bottom of the body of water in winter to escape death by freezing.
When ice disappears and water warms up in spring, the dormant leaf bodies of star duckweed rise up to the water's surface. Floating atop the water, the light to medium green leaves of star duckweed are narrow ovals and occur in close proximity to look like three-lobed leaves similar to a star or ivy leaf. Thin roots dangle downward into the water. Rarely flowering, but occurring in late spring to midsummer, the leaves are held more erect when the tiny blossoms rise barely above the water's surface.
Star duckweed is a food source for aquatic fish and water fowl. Grow it in ornamental water gardens or containers to cover the water surface. To eliminate it, do not spray with chemicals but merely scrape and lift plants with a pond screen-skimmer. Discard plants in the compost pile or full sun to dry out and die.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
7 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
1 - 8
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Sunset Zone
A1, A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Aquatics
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
North America, Europe, Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil Drainage
Poorly Drained
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Ample Water
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Habit
Spreading
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Light Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
