Asian Watermeal

Description

Wolffia globosa is a species of flowering plant known by the common name Asian watermeal. It is native to Asia and is found in parts of the Americas, where it may be native or naturalized. It grows in mats on the surface of calm, freshwater bodies, such as ponds, lakes, and marshes. It is a very tiny, oval-shaped plant with no leaves, stems, or roots. The body of the plant, a transparent green frond, is less than a millimeter wide. Like other Wolffia, the plant is edible and makes a nutritious food. Wolffia globosa has been described as the world's smallest flowering plant, at 0.1-0.2 mm (0.004-0.008 in) in diameter. Known in Thai as Pham (---), it is a popular item in Thai cuisine, especially in Isan.