watermeal
Noun 1. A type of very small aquatic plant: Watermeal refers to any of several species of tiny, free-floating aquatic plants belonging to the genus Wolffia. They are among the smallest flowering plants in the world and are found globally in warmer climates.
Watermeal is used as a common name for these specific plants. It is typically used in botanical, ecological, or gardening contexts. - As a subject: Watermeal often forms a green carpet on the surface of still ponds. - As an object: The biologist studied the rapid growth of watermeal.
- Ecological indicator: In environmental science, the presence of watermeal can indicate nutrient-rich (eutrophic) water conditions.
- An abundance of watermeal and duckweed signaled high phosphate levels in the lake.
- Duckweed: A related group of small aquatic plants (family Lemnaceae) which includes watermeal () as well as other genera like and . Duckweed is often used as a broader term.
- Wolffia: The scientific genus name for watermeal.
- Duckweed (in its broadest sense, though this is a related group, not an exact synonym)
- Wolffia (the scientific name)
The term watermeal refers specifically to plants of the genus Wolffia. It does not refer to other types of aquatic vegetation, larger plants, or to any form of food or meal made from water. Its meaning is precise within botany.
- any of various aquatic plants of the genus Wolffia; throughout warmer regions of the world