WILD
FOODIES' HOME PAGE
PLANT PROFILE LIST
NAME: Duckweed
SPECIES / FAMILY: Spirodela Polyrhiza, Lemna Minor / Araceae
OTHER COMMON NAME(S):
CONDITIONS: sun,
water
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EDIBLE |
TASTE |
RAW/COOK |
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Shoots |
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Leaves |
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BOIL |
Summer |
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Stalk/Stem |
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Buds |
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Flowers |
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Fruits |
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Pods |
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Seeds |
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Nuts |
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Roots |
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Bark |
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PORTION: small
COMMENT: “Because it is so high in protein and grows so fast it is a favorite for use by smart people for chicken and hog food. Really smart people use the dried, powdered duckweed to kick up the nutritional values of their own food.”(4) The Green Deane suggests that we eat what eats duckweed, and not eat duckweed directly, due to contamination and misidentification issues. (2)
CAUTION: Boil it to kill any aquatic microbes which could cause sickness in humans.(4)
NUTRITION/MEDICINAL: “Dried duckweed contains 25-45% protein, 4% fat, and 8-10% fiber…”(4)
LOOK-A-LIKES:
POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES:
OTHER USES: Dry, crush, then rub on skin to use as an insect repellent.(4)
SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):