Watermeal is a light green plant that is free-floating. Measuring between 0.2 and 1.5 millimeters, they are the smallest seed bearing plants in the world. Because Watermeal grows in dense colonies in quiet waters, they are often associated or mistaken for Duckweeds. The main difference is watermeal does not have roots. However, like the Duckweed, it is an aggressive invader and can be very damaging if it overtakes a pond surface. When this happens, oxygen depletion occurs and causes fish kills. By blocking out the sunlight to the water below, it also eliminates the growth of submerged plants.

Watermeal reproduces by budding and fragmentation, but is often transported to other water bodies by ducks that consume it.

Watermeal (0.3 – 1.4 mm diameter)

Watermeal Identification:

• Light green with the appearance of floating grass seed
  

• Oval shaped single leaf
  

• Free-floating without roots
  

• Size of a pinhead
  

• Seed bearing plant
  

• Grows in dense colonies along with Duckweed