Slimy, slippery and to most, just plain disgusting, that green layer on the surface of still-water ponds is duckweed. Although the last time I saw them, I almost fell in the pond, thinking the layer of the ickle plants was solid   ground, I have to say I admire the stuff. One ickle plant can multiply into so many plants as to cover a lake and I have to say, it's a good trap for people who don't look where they're going. Also, they have the icklest flowers in the world that produce fruit about half the size of the plant. Think ... that's comparable to a forty foot tall coconut ... impressive. DP

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