Gen info
- Spirodela is a genus of aquatic plants, one of several genera containing plants commonly called duckweed. Spidodela species were formerly members of Lemnaceae.
- As of December 2025, POWO accepts four species.
- Spirodela punctata (Landoltia punctata , dotted duckweed) is a species of duckweed, morphologically intermediate between Lemna and other species of Spirodela.
n 1999 D.H. Les and D.J. Crawford proposed segregating the species to a new genus Landoltia containing just the species of L. punctata, on the basis of biochemical and DNA studies. (4)
- Etymology: The genus name Spirodela derives from Greek words speira (meaning a coil or wreath) and delos (meaning clear or conspicuous), referring to the visible, spiral-shaped vascular vessels inside the plants structure. The specific epithet punctata refers to the sunken glands on the undersurface of the fronds.
- Dotted misnomer: The common name "dotted duckweed" is confusing. While there are distinct red dots on the giant duckweed, Spirodela polyrhiza, there are no dots on this species. At most, it might refer to the barely visible ridge of "dots" on the leaf surface of Landoltia punctata. (14)
Botany
• Herb floating at the surface of the water, roots 1–12. 'Leaf' more or less rounded or broadly oval, 0.2–0.5 cm long, 1.2–2.5 mm wide, length to breadth ratio 1.5–2, with 3–7 veins, upper surface green, lower surface often reddish or purplish. Secondary plants develop in pockets in the sides of the parent plant and may remain attached for some time. Male and female flowers on the same plant. Flowers small, with 0 petals. One female and 2 male flowers together in a membranous bract. Flowers infrequently. (5)
 • Landoltia punctata is a small, free-floating plant that has fronds which produce thin roots. The plants can grow into dense mats in stagnant water. Mature fronds are 1.5 to 2 times longer than wide, with widths between 1-5mm. Fronds are narrowly egg-shaped to slightly kidney-shaped and intensely green in color. (11)
Distribution
- Native to the Philippines. (1)
- In Luzon, NCR, to Mindanao; 0-2100 m. (1)
- Introduced to the Philippines. (2)
- Native to Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Bolivia, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Chile Central, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Leeward Is., Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela, Windward Is. (2)
Constituents
- Preliminary study evaluated
n-hexane extract of Landoltia punctata for protein and lipid content. High liquid chromatography revealed all 8 essential amino acids at concentrations comparable to those in legumes. Protein content was 0.14 g protein/g dry biomass and total lipid was 0.06 g lipid/g dry biomass. Most of the FAs were polyunsaturated, specifically, 58.38% of total FA Methyl Esters (FAME), most of which were omega-3 FAs at 44.93% of total FAME. FAs were mostly long-chain (13-22 C). (see study below) (6)
- HPLC-DAD/MS-MS study of ethanolic extracts of five species of duckweeds identified 16 compounds, including three chlorogenic acid derivatives and 11 apigenin and luteolin derivative. Described for the first time in duckweeds were 5-O-(E)-caffeoylquinic acid (1), 3-O-(E)-coumaroylquinic acid (2), luteolin-7-O-glucoside-C-glucoside (3), 4-O-(E)-coumaroylquinic acid (4), luteolin-6-C-glucoside-8-C-rhamnoside (5), and luteolin-8-C-glucoside-6-C-rhamnoside (6). Flavonoids diversity showed significant amount of luteolin and its derivatives, except for Landoltia punctata that showed significant apigenic content. (see study below) (7)
- The hydroalcoholic fraction showed highest TPC (total phenolic content) of 47.77 mg GAE/g. The n-butanol fraction showed highest TFC (total flavonoid content) of 13.03 mg QE/g. Hydroalcoholic fraction showed highest tannin content (47.77 mg). (see study below) (9)
Properties
- Species of spirodela floating mats with related species (Lemna and Wolffia).
- Studies have suggested nutrient, antioxidant, cytotoxicity, bioremediation properties.
Impacts
- It forms dense, floating mats that provide essential hiding places for fish and food for some wildlife; however, it aggressive growth can rapidly choke out open waterways if left unmanaged.
(5)
- Impact is generally unknown, but it has the potential of becoming a serious nuisance due to rapid colonization, easy distribution, and quick dispersal rate.
(11)
- Its diminutive size allows it to easily "hitchhike" on water currents, waterfowl and watercraft, which contributes to its spread. Its filamentous algae can form several layers of thick, dense surface mats, which may include mixtures of different species. Decreased light penetration can inhibit algal growth. Dissolved oxygen concentrations below the mats are often low, which can influence the type and abundance of invertebrate fish populations. Further, excessive growth of mats reduces aesthetics and recreational uses of water resources.
(14)
Parts used
Seeds, leaves.
Uses
Edibility
- Consumed in Southeast Asia. Due to its high protein contenr, duckweeds have been identified as a potential human food source.
Folkloric
- No reported medicinal use in the Philippines.
Others
- Forage: Harvested as alfalfal substitute for cow and pig diets. (11)
Studies
• Nutrient study: Preliminary study evaluated protein and lipid content grown for 9 days in a controlled cultivation system. Results showed a high content of both proteins and fatty acids, containing essential amino acids and a considerable amount of omega-3. Results suggest potential for the duckweed species as source of proteins and lipids in human food. (see constituents above) (6)
• Flavonoids / Potential for the Human Diet: Study evaluated ethanolic extracts from five species of duckweeds. Landoltia punctata showed significant apigenin content. Flavones identified were mostly
C-glycosides, which can benefit human diets, and its abundance seems to be related to higher antioxidant and anticancer properties of Landoltia punctata, Wolffiella caudata, and Wolffia borealis. Findings reinforce the potential of duckweeds as valuable additives to the human diet. (see constituents above) (7)
• Antioxidant / Cytotoxic: Study evaluated the phytochemical, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activity of Landoltia punctata. The n-butanol fraction showed highest antioxidant activity in the NO and DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Cytotoxic activity evaluated different fractions of L. punctata and doxorubicin on four cell lines (HepG2, HeLa, A549, and MCF-7) and on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The n-butanol fraction showed most potent cytotoxic effect, with lowest IC50s for MCF-7, A549, and HeLa cells. The n-butanol fraction showed more substantial cytotoxic effect on A549 cells than doxorubicin. All fractions showed higher IC50s for HUVECs, suggesting less cytotoxicity to healthy cells, suggesting potential for therapeutic applications. (see constituents above) (9)
• Potential for Starch Biomass Production: Study evaluated of four duckweed strains from different genera, Landoltia punctata, Wolffia globosa, Lemna japonica, and Spirodela polyrhiza for potential application in nutrient recovery from wastewater and biomass production. Under nutrient starvation conditions, Landoltia punctata showed highest starch content (45.84%), dry biomass production, and starch accumulation, making it best for starch biomass production. (10)
• Waste Water Bioremediation: L. punctata is valued for its waste water cleanup mechanism. It is grown on farms and in aquatic systems to clean/purify high nutrient bodies of water. It can remove N (mainly ammonium) and P from from anaerobically pretreated swine wastewater at rates as high as 2.32 and .51 g/m2/day (23.2 and 5.1 kg/ha/day), respectively. (11)
Availability
- Wild-crafted. |
