Wolffia

Taxobox
name = "Wolffia"

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image_width = 270px
image_caption
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Alismatales
familia = Araceae
subfamilia = Lemnaoideae
genus = "Wolffia"
genus_authority = Schleid.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = 9-11, see text

"Wolffia" is a genus of 9 to 11 species which include the smallest flowering plants on Earth. Commonly called watermeal, these aquatic plants resemble specks of cornmeal floating on the water. "Wolffia" species are free-floating thalii, green or yellow-green, and without roots. The flower is produced in a depression on the top surface of the plant body. It has one stamen and one pistil. Individuals often float together in pairs or form floating mats with related plants, such as "Lemna" and "Spirodela" species. Most species have a very wide distribution across several continents. "Wolffia" species are composed of about 40% protein, about the same as the soybean, making them a potential high-protein human food source. They have historically been collected from the water and eaten as a vegetable in much of Asia.

References and external links

* [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8328,8340 Jepson Manual Treatment]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=WOLFF USDA Plants Profile]
*Armstrong, W. (2005) Wayne Armstrong's treatment of the Lemnaceae. [http://waynesword.palomar.edu/1wayindx.htm ] .
*Cross, J.W. (2006). The Charms of Duckweed. [http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/duckweed/duckweed.htm]
*Landolt, E. (1986) Biosystematic investigations in the family of duckweeds (Lemnaceae). Vol. 2. The family of Lemnaceae - A monographic study. Part 1 of the monograph: Morphology; karyology; ecology; geographic distribution; systematic position; nomenclature; descriptions. Veröff. Geobot. Inst., Stiftung Rübel, ETH, Zurich.
* [http://lemna.rutgers.edu The Duckweed Genome Project]