TFH Magazine Forum

I'm so lame. I thought my duckweed had bloomed; I was really excited. You see, I spotted a few spots of bright purple, the color of a violet in spring, while moving some things around in the tank. I thought duckweed flowers were white if even visible at all.

Of course, this isn't real without pictures, right? I scooped out some duckweed for a photo op. Turns out my purple blooms weren't real even with pictures. The blossoms were just upside down duckweed plants.




Even so, I'm still very impressed with the intensity of the color. I assume brightly pigmented duckweed is happy duckweed. I hope the fish enjoy looking up at it; I can't see the color at all from my normal view. Somebody needs to appreciate that color.

Wow, that's really pretty either way. Great pictures by the way!

Ohhh you need to pick up some Red Root Floater!

Never noticed it was purple underneath, I'll have to look.

Nice pictures, yes it is indeed pretty and also my favorite color!

Azolla carolina is amazing, in full sun - red, in shade, green.

Gary

You've got multiple duckweeds, there—the smaller, lime green stuff is Lemna (probably L. minor—common duckweed), but the darker green with purple undersides is a different species, Landoltia punctata (sometimes referenced in older literature as Spirodela punctata). If you like the purple of the Landoltia, you should try growing its larger cousin, Spirodela polyrhiza (giant duckweed). Its undersides turn deep crimson with good lighting. :)

The duckweed is an accidental addition to my tank. It came in with some other plants. The fish seem to find it comforting, so I let it stay.

Just don't let it choke out the top surface, as given the opportunity it will. Fish will eat it, use if fro refuge and it is the most amazing nutrient sink. Its ridding yourself of it, that's the big job.

Gary