Wolfia Rootless

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Wolfia rootless is an aquatic plant that floats on the very surface of water bodies. The Latin name for this plant is Wolffia arrhiza.

This plant is subtropical, in fact, it is the smallest in size of all existing flowering plants in the world. This plant should be considered a member of the duckweed family.

Under natural conditions, rootless wolfia is found in water bodies of Asia and Africa. However, this plant can be found all over the world today.

Description of wolfia rootless

Rootless wolfia are very small formations of green color, the diameter of which does not exceed one millimeter, and in shape these formations are very similar to an ellipse. It is worth noting that when this plant is used for aquariums, it can also be added to the diet for some fish species.

As for the decorative properties of this plant, the leaves themselves are very small, and the shapes resemble not only an ellipse, but even have an egg-shaped shape to some extent. As for the color, it is not always a pure green color, most often this shade is complemented by blotches of pigment paints. The leaves have air cavities, which will be responsible for keeping the plant floating. Sometimes in rootless wolfia, flowering can also begin: this period occurs in June-August. It is worth noting that the flowers of the plant will be very small, these flowers cannot be distinguished with the naked eye.

As for the inflorescences, on the upper part of the fronds, which is also flattened, there is a color pit, which gives one inflorescence. This inflorescence will consist of both one female and one male flower. Pollination of rootless wolfia can be carried out by means of insects or by wind.

The fruits of the plant are oval in shape, they reach about half a millimeter in length, and even about a quarter of a millimeter wide. After ripening, the seed of the plant will grow directly on the plant itself, after which it breaks off and begins to develop independently.

Growing wolfia rootless

First of all, it should be remembered that rootless wolfia is not a particularly whimsical plant to care for. Throughout all seasons of the year, this plant will grow and develop evenly. This plant will feel great in both relatively cool and tropical waters. In the winter period of time, rootless wolfia is able to withstand a drop in temperature even up to fourteen degrees.

As for the water itself, which is necessary to grow this plant, literally any water that has any hardness and reaction will do. However, the most favorable conditions are soft water with a slightly acidic reaction. For the normal development of this plant, constant replacement of water is also important. At the same time, the surface of the water must always be in continuous motion. In stagnant water, this plant can simply die. Rootless wolfia will develop well under natural light, however, reliable protection from intense exposure to direct sunlight will be required. Daylight hours for rootless wolfia should be at least twelve hours.

Reproduction of this plant occurs through division. However, if you plan to use rootless wolfia as complementary food for fish, then you will need to grow this plant in a separate place.

It should be noted that in Southeast Asia, this plant is also used for food. Here, very often, rootless wolfia is grown together with vegetables. Actually, this circumstance is explained by the fact that the plant contains a lot of proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins.