Identification

• Duckweeds appear to be small, bulbous plants that are light green in color and look like misshapen orbs. They are found in groups floating in ponds and some larger bodies of water.
  
  

Features

• Duckweed consists of a main thalloid, which is the bulbous structure that makes up the bulk of the plant, and a small root system underneath. Duckweed fruits are simple things filled with air and a single seed, and some duckweed also feature a flower, though they are simple and often very small.
  
  

Reproduction

• Reproduction is generally performed by budding.
  
  

Cover

• Duckweed is important for many small pond animals because groups of them can act as safe cover. Bullfrogs are just one example of the types of creatures that use duckweed as cover.
  
  

Food Source

• Duckweed is an important source of food for waterfowl that spend their time on ponds and near the shores of certain lakes. Humans in Southeast Asia also eat duckweed on a regular basis.