Spirodela punctata Care Guide
Dotted duckmeat, a small floating duckweed with multiple roots per frond and reddish undersides that spreads fast and consumes excess nutrients.
Overview
Spirodela punctata is a small free-floating duckweed in the family Araceae, subfamily Lemnoideae. Members of Spirodela have several roots (rather than one as in Lemna) emerging from each frond and can turn reddish from anthocyanin. The species is morphologically intermediate between Lemna and other Spirodela. In 1999 it was proposed for transfer to the genus Landoltia based on biochemical and DNA studies, so it is also known as Landoltia punctata.
Taxonomy
- Family: Araceae (subfamily Lemnoideae)
- Genus: Spirodela (also classified under the genus Landoltia)
- Scientific name: Spirodela punctata
- Common name: Dotted Duckmeat
Habitat
The species' original range is Australia and South Asia, and it has since spread to the southern and eastern United States. It forms floating mats on the surface of still and slow-moving fresh water, often mixed with related duckweeds such as Lemna and Wolffia.
Tank requirements
- Light: low
- CO2: not required
- Temperature: 18-30 °C (64-86 °F)
- pH: 5.5-8.0
- GH: 2-18 °dGH
- Placement: floating
- Growth rate: fast
Care and growth
Duckweed multiplies very quickly and takes up nutrients from the water, which makes it useful for nutrient export, while its surface cover provides shade. Because it spreads aggressively it usually has to be skimmed off regularly; once introduced it is difficult to fully remove from a tank.
Propagation
Reproduction is vegetative: new fronds bud off the parent and may remain attached in small groups before separating. Some duckweeds overwinter as turions, dormant starchy shoots that sink and regrow when conditions improve.