What is the “green stuff” in the Riverdale Farm Ponds?
The green stuff is a tiny native aquatic plant called duckweed. Common or lesser duckweed (Lemna minor) is found floating in the Riverdale Ponds in late summer. The tiny plant has stalkless leaves (fronds) with one root hanging down and one to three nerves. Common duckweed is less than 6mm across, green above and below the water and float singly or in clusters. Duckweed is an important food source for waterfowl, beaver and muskrat, which feed on the entire plant. Duckweed does not harm the pond system or surrounding environment.
