The most common of the duckweeds, the lesser duckweed prefers high nutrient waters and can cover the whole surface of ponds by half season.  In lakes it tends to concentrate along the shore line among other vegetation.  Individual plants are composed of several segments each up to 8mm long, flag and either round or ovate.  Growth typically occurs as floating clusters of 2-5 attached segments.

Duckweed has tiny green flowers and flowers rarely, making it hard to observe.