Common duckmeat (Spirodela polyrrhiza)
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Perennial (hardy)
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Frost limit
- −28.9 °C
Cultivation
Requires a sunny position in still water that is rich in nitrates and lime. A very small plant without differentiation into various parts such as leaf, stem etc (they are called Thalli), it is 8mm in diameter and often forming a mat on the water surface and perennating by means of buds (turions) that sink in autumn and rise to the surface in spring. The so-called rootcap (really only an apical swelling), has a higher specific gravity than any other part of the plant, righting capsized individuals.
Propagation
The plant divides freely in the growing season and does not need help.
Edible uses
The plant is sometimes used as a food. No more details are given.
Medicinal uses
The whole plant is antipruritic, antipyretic, cardiotonic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic.
Habitat
Still water in ditches and ponds.
Native range
Europe, including Britain, south and east from Scandanavia to N. Africa and Asia. America, Australia