Fat Duckweed (Lemna gibba) is a small aquatic flowering plant native to the United Kingdom, belonging to the Lemnaceae family. It is commonly found in still or slow-moving freshwater habitats, including ponds, lakes, ditches, and slow-flowing streams, across the UK.

Fat Duckweed thrives in nutrient-rich, still waters, often favouring habitats with ample sunlight. It can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, including varying levels of acidity and salinity, making it adaptable to different aquatic environments.

Predators of Fat Duckweed include herbivores such as waterfowl, fish, and aquatic invertebrates, which may feed on its foliage. However, its small size and rapid growth rate often make it resilient to grazing pressure.

As a perennial plant, Fat Duckweed can live for several years, forming dense floating mats of interconnected plants on the water’s surface. It reproduces primarily through vegetative propagation, with daughter plants budding off from parent plants, allowing it to rapidly colonise suitable habitats.

Culturally, Fat Duckweed does not hold significant symbolic or traditional references in the UK. However, it is valued for its ecological role in aquatic ecosystems, where it provides habitat and food for various species of insects, birds, and other wildlife.

An interesting fact about Fat Duckweed is its ability to remove excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from the water, helping to improve water quality and prevent eutrophication in freshwater habitats. Additionally, its small size and rapid growth rate make it a popular choice for use in aquariums and ornamental ponds.