DUCKWEED FAMILY 



up life for themselves, though often two or three 

 adhere together. 



Each leaf possesses one or two threadlike white 

 roots which extend downward an inch or more and 

 apparently balance and steady the plant as well as 

 feed it. 



Curiously enough this minute floating creature 

 which represents an entire plant in a single leaf, pro- 

 duces a real flower. This flower consists of a single 

 stamen or a pistil with an ovary which contains two 

 ovules. These flowers are very difficult to find. 



The plant has the common name of Duckweed and 

 Duckmeat, due probably to the fact that it rides the 

 water so easily and its back is never wet. The individ- 

 uals crowd upon each other to such an extent that it 

 is difficult to see the water beneath them. The plant 

 requires quiet water, but the water must be pure and 

 clean. 



The Duckweed Family comprises the smallest of 

 flowering plants and contains four genera of about 

 thirty species, widely distributed over the world. 



14 



