Watermeal

Ecological Importance

Watermeal is common in stagnant and slow moving waters. From time to time waterfowl may consume watermeal. Watermeal is often used as camouflage cover for fish, amphibians, reptiles, etc.

Problems

Watermeal is often misidentified as algae or "green pond scum." Watermeal can easily cover the entire pond, especially when little or no wind is present. Wolffia continues to germinate all season adding to its persistent nature.

Plant Description:

Watermeal is a very tiny (less than 1 millimeter) light green free-floating, rootless plant. In fact, watermeal is the smallest seed-bearing plant in the world. Watermeal tend to grow in dense colonies in quiet water, undisturbed by wave action. Watermeal is often found growing with duckweeds or mosquito fern.

Hints to Identify

Resemble specks of cornmeal floating on the water.
Color is shiny deep or lime green
Size is about half the size of a grain of rice, sometimes no larger than poppy seed.
Shape is slightly elliptical or round.
Wolffia has no root structure. Place a finger or two into the water and withdraw it, your fingers will be coated with these small distinct green bb's. Rub your thumb and forefinger together, they will feel like miniature ball bearings.