Watermeal.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Media

Tipo de planta

Aquatic floating plant

Luz

Partial shade to full sun

Luz en interior

Luz indirecta brillante

Riego

Cada 0 días

Tamaño adulto

1 millimeter

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 9 a 11

Floración

Rarely blooms, typically in summer

Cuidados

Keep this plant in a container with still water that has plenty of nutrients. Watch for the water turning stagnant or losing clarity, which can signal a need for a partial water change. Ensure it gets plenty of light to keep the colonies thriving.

Riego

This plant lives entirely submerged or floating in water.

Abonado

Add a small amount of liquid aquatic fertilizer if the water lacks nutrients.

Poda

Scoop out excess plants with a net to prevent them from covering the entire water surface.

Trasplante

Repotting is not applicable as this plant does not grow in soil.

Suelo

None, aquatic

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.5

Temperatura

15 a 30°C

Humedad

70 a 100%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Baja

Longevidad

Perennial, indefinite with proper water conditions

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Moderada

Seguridad

Personas

This plant is generally considered safe and is consumed as a vegetable in parts of Southeast Asia.

Niños

Due to its tiny size, it poses a minor choking hazard if ingested in large quantities by very small children.

Comestibilidad

Ensure the water source is clean and free of contaminants before considering consumption, as this plant readily absorbs heavy metals.

Cómo identificarla

• Tiny green granular floating fronds
• Lacks any visible roots
• Individual plants are pinhead sized
• Forms dense mats on water
• Rarely produces visible flowers

Altura

0 a 0,01m

Anchura

0 a 0,01m

Hojas

bright green, deciduous

Flores

white, 0,1 a 0,2cm

Problemas frecuentes

• Algal bloom — Excessive nutrients can cause algae to outcompete the duckweed.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

division

Cuándo plantar

spring, summer

Cuidados en invierno

Move containers indoors to a bright, frost free location if temperatures drop below freezing.

En maceta

Excellent for small bowls or ponds, provided the water is kept still.

Keep the water surface clear of debris to allow maximum light penetration for growth.

Buenas compañeras

• Eichhornia crassipes — They share similar aquatic requirements.

Especies parecidas

• Duckweed — It is a related floating plant but significantly larger.

Ciencia

Familia

Araceae

Género

Wolffia

Orden

Alismatales

Clase

Liliopsida

Distribución natural

Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Conservación

Not of conservation concern as it is a prolific grower in suitable aquatic environments.

It thrives in still or slow moving nutrient rich waters where it forms dense mats.

Valor para la fauna

provides cover for small aquatic organisms, oxygenates water

Usos

aquatic food source, water purification, ornamental pond plant

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Does it need soil?

No, it is a free floating aquatic plant.

How fast does it grow?

It can double its population in just a few days under ideal conditions.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus is named after the German botanist Johann Friedrich Wolff, while globosa refers to its spherical shape.

Bueno saberlo

• It lacks roots entirely.
• It is often called water meal.
• It has a very high protein content.
• It reproduces primarily through budding.