What is the smallest flowering plant?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
January 3, 2002
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading—>Click here.
Killer Savings Nursery Links—>Click here.
Killer Picks: The Amateur Naturalist, National Geographic Magazine—>Click here.
Duckweed (Lemnaceae) is common. Most people who have seen slow moving streams or ponds would recognize duckweed, but many mistake the plants for algae. The duckweeds are monocots, closely related to the philodendron family. They are the smallest of the flowering plants, only about a millimeter or two in size.
The duckweed family has proven to be remarkable for a number of reasons. Duckweed reproduces both by seed and by cloning itself. It doubles its population every 24 to 48 hours depending on temperature and species. Duckweed produces more protein per square meter than soybeans. Duckweed protein is used in fish, poultry, and cattle feed.
These minute plants remove pollutants from water. Wastewater (sewage) treatment facilities have been created that channel water through holding ponds of duckweed. Duckweed takes nitrogen and phosphorous out of the water. They also provide habitat for beneficial bacteria that breakdown organic solids.
The duckweed is regularly skimmed off the water. This prevents the duckweed from forming a mat of vegetation. The duckweed is composted or spread on fields as fertilizer.
One of the duckweeds, Lemna minor, is capable of removing cadmium, selenium, and copper from water. When present in the environment, these elements (and other metals) become more concentrated in the "food chain". (Herbivores get more toxins than the plants; carnivores get more toxins than the herbivores.) But Lemna minor is easily removed and sent to metal recovery facilities.
Just as duckweeds grow in polluted habitats, they grow well in sterile lab conditions. North Carolina State is currently working on modifying duckweed to produce special proteins—insulin, interferon, and enzymes for medical and industrial uses. Plant-produced drugs avoid the risk of carrying infectious agents to patients.
Missouri Botanical Garden has photographs and information about duckweeds.
Click here to view the photographs and learn more
Scroll down to view a photograph of three species of duckweed.
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
How was dogwood used as a calendar? Herbal Folklore - April 14, 2003
Why was this herb called a corpse? What's in a Name? - January 31, 2003
How do alligators benefit prairie iris? Renfield's Garden - March 31, 2004
What crop grows best irrigated with sea water? Weird Plants - June 13, 2002
Killer Savings Links:
Breck's Bulbs -$25 off—>Click here.
Gurney's Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Henry Fields Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Spring Hill Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.
Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.
Unique Professionally Designed Gardens
Springhill Nursery®
Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you.
Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!
|
|
The Amateur Naturalist
National Geographic®
National Geographic naturalist Nick Baker brings you the ultimate how-to guide for exploring nature. An education in natural science unto itself, it's filled with page after page of fascinating secrets, surprising facts, and inspiring commentary that encourage the whole family to see the many sides of nature they've never seen before.
From communicating with wildlife to reading the forest's hidden signs, the hands-on activities, beautiful photos, and detailed illustrations enthusiastically reveal everything you need to know to fully experience our beautiful world.
Click here.
Shop the National Geographic Store. All purchases support research and education.
|
National Geographic Magazine
National Geographic®
|
|
You are invited to roam the world in the pages of National Geographic magazine. Explore the diversity of our planet's lands and inhabitants in compelling stories covering topics such as animals, nature, science, technology, culture, history, travel, adventure, exploration, and geography. The monthly National Geographic magazine is your key benefit of membership.
Additional benefits include:
- As many as five wall map supplements throughout the year in issues of the magazine
- A personalized Membership Certificate
- Special discounts on selected products
- The opportunity to examine special Society products free in your home before deciding to purchase
- The privilege of traveling the world with the Society's educational travel tour programs
- The satisfaction of supporting important research, conservation, education, and exploration projects
|
|
Join the Society and bring the adventure of National Geographic into your home!
Click here.
Shop the National Geographic Store. All purchases support research and education.
|
| |
killerplants Recommended Smart Stores
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 BACK TO TOP
|
|
