10/09/2026
The answer to last week’s is.....not algae or bacteria, but duckweed! Duckweeds are the smallest flowering plants on Earth and are an essential food source for many types of birds, fish, insects, and some mammals.
They are commonly found in bodies of water, especially where there may be high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen—which this fast-growing plant loves! According to the USDA, duckweeds are sometimes even used as a bioremediation method for waterways that are affected by pollutants like excess nitrates. However, their “weedy” nature means they can also quickly overtake a pond or lake, which can lower oxygen levels and impact fish populations. Ah, the joys of Mother Nature’s delicate balancing act!
Problems with duckweed overgrowth are associated with high nutrient levels, which may be caused by fertilizer applications occurring near the body of water, septic leakage, or agricultural runoff. Determining and mitigating the source of excess nutrients is the best way to support a balanced and healthy waterway.
How does duckweed spread? Duckweed mostly spreads asexually through propagation/cloning, which can double a population in just a couple of days. This means aquatic visitors, whether it be a duck, a dog, or even a human, can easily spread the plant from one body of water to another. Several species produce a structure called a turion, which falls to the bottom of a body of water to overwinter, then rises to the top come spring and starts growing. It can also spread through pollination by flies, spiders, and bees, but this is less common.
Other fun facts:
🦟 Duckweed can serve as a mosquito shield, deterring these little suckers from laying their eggs, while simultaneously providing a cozy rest area for bees to take a water break or damselflies to lay their eggs.
🚀 It’s being studied by NASA as a possible solution for treating wastewater as well as a potential fresh food source for space missions.
💩 The city of Devils Lake, North Dakota, treats 3.5 million gallons of wastewater per day with duckweed, which removes up to 91% of phosphorus and 80% of lead.
Photos were taken at Arrowhead Park which is hosting its annual Chili Fest this Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. Don your costumes and join us for hayrack rides, pumpkin painting, and of course, CHILI. 😋
