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Landoltia punctata
Landoltia punctata
Commonly known as Dotted Duckweed, this small floating plant rapidly blankets the water surface. Excellent for absorbing excess nutrients and providing shade, though it requires frequent thinning.
- Taxonomy
- Class:LiliopsidaOrder:AlismatalesFamily:AraceaeGenus:LandoltiaSpecies:Landoltia punctataFormerly known as:
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Water Temperature
4 - 30 °C
pH Value
5 - 9
Water type
Freshwater
Light
Low to High
CO2
Low - High
GH
4 - 20 dGH
KH
2 - 21 dKH
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Landoltia punctata, commonly known as dotted duckweed, has a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical and subtropical waters. It populates calm ponds, swamps, rice paddies, and slow-flowing rivers rich in nutrients. It forms wide floating carpets that can cover very large water surfaces under full sunlight.
Taxonomy & Genetics: It belongs to the family Araceae, subfamily Lemnoideae. Taxonomically and genetically, it is distinguished from Lemna species by the presence of multiple roots (2 to 7) associated with each floating frond and specific genetic markers that determine its rapid vegetative division speed in the presence of high nitrogen loads.
Physical Structure: It consists of tiny floating oval-elongated fronds, 2 to 8 millimeters long. The fronds are not true leaves but modified stems (phylloids) that remain connected to each other by short runners. The roots hang free in the water for a few centimeters without branching.
Color & Texture: The fronds show a bright olive green or dark green color on the upper part, with a smooth and waxy texture. The underside has a reddish-brown to dark purplish coloration and a spongy consistency. Small dots or papillae are visible on the upper surface, which give it its specific epithet.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Lighting & CO2: Tolerates a very wide range of lighting, from low to very high. Like all floating plants growing in contact with the air, it does not require CO2 supplementation in the aquarium as it absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide directly from the fronds.
Nutrition & Substrate: Does not require any substrate. It is a voracious absorber of ammonium, nitrates, and phosphates dissolved in
Water Chemistry: Highly adaptable to different water chemistries. It tolerates temperatures between 4°C and 30°C, pH from 5.0 to 9.0, and carbon hardness (KH) from 2 to 21 dKH. It prefers calm waters or with little movement to allow the development of floating colonies.
Space Management & Placement: Its placement is on the surface of the aquarium water (although the JSON profile indicates 'midground', it only grows on the surface). Due to its very rapid reproduction, it must be checked regularly to prevent it from blocking the passage of light to the bottom.
Pruning: It is not pruned in the classic sense. Maintenance consists of manually removing large portions of the floating carpet with a fine-mesh net during regular water changes to keep the desired percentage of the surface free.
Risks & Diseases: The main risk lies in its invasive nature, as it can cover the surface in a few days and reduce gas exchange between water and air. It is resistant to diseases but can yellow quickly in the event of complete absence of nitrogen or iron in the water.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Landoltia punctata, commonly known as dotted duckweed, has a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical and subtropical waters. It populates calm ponds, swamps, rice paddies, and slow-flowing rivers rich in nutrients. It forms wide floating carpets that can cover very large water surfaces under full sunlight.
Origin
Cosmopolitan or introduced
Plant profile
- Placement
- Floating
- As a free-floating aquatic plant, it occupies the water surface of the aquarium. It should be used strategically, as it can quickly form a dense mat that blocks light from reaching submerged plants. It is often kept in isolated floating rings to prevent it from covering the entire surface.
- Botanical form
- Floating
- Also known as dotted duckweed, it consists of small, oval-shaped fronds that float on the water surface. Each frond is somewhat thicker and slightly larger than common duckweed (Lemna minor) and typically features two to several short roots dangling beneath. The fronds have a bright green topside and often a reddish or purplish underside.
- Growth
- VERY_FAST
- This plant has an extremely fast, almost explosive growth rate under favorable conditions. It multiplies continuously by producing new fronds, capable of doubling its population in just a few days. Frequent and aggressive removal is usually necessary to keep its population in check.
- Substrate
- None
- Landoltia punctata, also known as dotted duckweed, is a strictly free-floating aquatic plant that requires no substrate whatsoever. It utilizes its fine, dangling roots to absorb nutrients directly from the water column rather than from the aquarium floor. Substrate composition and depth are irrelevant to this species, as it completes its entire life cycle floating on the water surface.
- Column fertilization
- Required
- It relies entirely on water column fertilization, absorbing all necessary nutrients directly through its floating fronds and dangling roots. It is an excellent biological filter, quickly taking up ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. Additional fertilization is rarely needed unless the tank is heavily planted and nutrient-depleted.
- Root fertilization
- None
- Because it is a strictly floating plant, it does not interact with the substrate and therefore does not require root fertilization. All nutrient uptake occurs from the surrounding water. Its dangling roots provide a large surface area for this purpose.
- Trimming
- Regular
- Trimming is not applicable; instead, maintenance involves manually scooping out excess plants with a net. It is important to remove large portions of the mat regularly to ensure sufficient light penetrates the water for submerged species. Care must be taken to remove even tiny pieces if eradication is desired, as they regrow rapidly.
- Propagation
- Division
- Propagation occurs naturally and constantly through vegetative budding. New fronds grow from the edges of mature fronds and eventually break off to form independent plants. No human intervention is required for it to multiply rapidly.
- Sensitivity
- LOW
- It is an incredibly hardy and adaptable plant, tolerant of almost any water parameter, temperature, or lighting condition. It is virtually indestructible in a standard aquarium setting. The only things that generally hinder its growth are strong surface agitation or a complete lack of nutrients.
- Layout role
- Floating
- Its primary role is providing shade for low-light setups and acting as a powerful natural filter to manage excess nutrients. The trailing roots offer excellent hiding places for fry and small shrimp. However, its use in high-tech aquascapes is limited due to its tendency to block essential light from reaching the foreground.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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