Landoltia punctata

Landoltia punctata (formerly Spirodela punctata) is found in warm freshwater bodies across Asia, Australia, and North America. Its fronds are slightly larger than Lemna minor with three to five roots rather than one, and the underside carries a reddish-purple pigmentation that becomes visible when the plant is viewed from below or in shallow water. Like other duckweeds it grows rapidly and absorbs nutrients efficiently, but its slightly larger size makes individual fronds more visible and manageable.

Light: Medium surface light; develops stronger red-purple colouration under bright light. CO2: Not required; direct nutrient absorption from the water column. Planting: Place a small colony on the water surface; no planting required. Maintenance: Thin the surface colony regularly to maintain light penetration for submerged plants. Note: Slightly slower-growing than Lemna minor and therefore marginally easier to control.