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Dotted Duckmeat

Spirodela punctata

Last reviewed: October 2026

Dotted Duckmeat (Spirodela punctata)
Photo: (c) Joe Dillon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Joe Dillon

Toxicity unknown

Dotted Duckmeat (Spirodela punctata) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

high

Size

0.5"–2" H × 1"–3" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, IL, KY, TN

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Southeastern PlainsInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess Plains

Dotted duckmeat is a tiny aquatic floating plant that forms small colonies on the surface of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving water. Each plant consists of a small oval frond less than 2 inches across that floats freely without soil anchoring. It blooms with inconspicuous flowers during summer months.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Dotted Duckmeat takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Requires permanent water feature
  • Not suitable for traditional landscaping
  • May be viewed as pond weeds by HOAs

Wildlife value

This aquatic plant provides habitat for small aquatic insects and serves as food for waterfowl and fish. It also helps oxygenate water and provides cover for small aquatic creatures.

Common questions

How much sun does Dotted Duckmeat need?
Dotted Duckmeat grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Dotted Duckmeat bloom?
Dotted Duckmeat blooms in May, June, July, and August.
Where is Dotted Duckmeat native?
Dotted Duckmeat (Spirodela punctata) is native to AL, IL, KY, TN, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Dotted Duckmeat HOA-friendly?
Dotted Duckmeat takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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