I painted this little watercolor last night to introduce you to Mr and Mrs Wolffia. Aren't they a handsome couple? They are part of a large family of plants that produce flowers that are the smallest flowers in the world. If you could pick a bouquet of these flowers it would fit on the head of a pin. Maybe you don't recognize wolffia but I am almost certain you have seen it on the ponds in your community. These pictures were taken just behind my office in a small town in rural Ontario.
Lets get a closer look at this.
And closer.
You may know of this plant as watermeal a relative of duckweed. Each of those beautiful green dots is an individual plant. Some of them will have tiny little flowers growing soon. They form a fantastic floating carpet that is very nutritious. It contains 40 % protein and the ducks and geese love to eat it. The shadows the trees and leaves cast on the green surface of the pond was magical.
Here is some other exciting news, the Canada Goose eggs have hatched.
Six little goslings , aren't they adorable. So next time you pass a pond and see green "scum" on the surface, take a closer look, and say hello to Mr and Mrs Wolffia .
I'm a big fan of Wolffia, the smallest of the flowering plants. And your painting captures their charm. Did you see this fantastic botanical illustration of Wolffia at the Missouri Botanic Gardens--http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/duckweed/duckweed.htm.
Posted by: Patricia | May 21, 2008 at 08:14 AM
I'm a big fan of Wolffia, the smallest of the flowering plants. And your painting captures their charm. Did you see this fantastic botanical illustration of Wolffia at the Missouri Botanic Gardens--http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/duckweed/duckweed.htm.
Posted by: Patricia | May 21, 2008 at 08:14 AM
I'd never heard of Wolffia before :o) thanks for sharing. I love baby geese! So cute :o) There's a family of geese that I see around work sometimes. It's always a nice treat! xox
Posted by: Linnea | May 21, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Wolffia would make a good name for a cat. Or dog.
Posted by: tamara | May 21, 2008 at 04:37 PM
haha tamara i could see you doing that. anyways, it's nice to meet the mr. and mrs.
Posted by: rebekah | May 21, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Wow Margie! These flowers are really tiny! I never heard of them before! Your painting is sooo cute! If the couple in your painting is tiny imagine how super tiny their babies must be! I don't think that I have a vase for them at our home neither!!! :o But I can't wait to see them in person!!!!
Elsita :)
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