cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/18162519

You've already seen duckweed, I know that.
It's ubiquitous and literally a pest in some areas.
Also known as "water lentils", they can cover ponds in just a matter of days. They are also one of the fastest growing and replicating plants ever.

Why is that relevant you may ask?

Well, Wolffia sp. could be the most nutrient packed superfood you'll ever eat.

I found a study where scientists analyzed the nutritional value of it, and holy fuck!
Not only is it a extremely good source of protein (up to 40% dry weight), but also contains omega 3 fatty acids in a very favourable ratio. And a lot of minerals, like iron and calcium. Especially for vegans too this might be perfect.

This sounds very similar to algae, right? Right!

But there are a few benefits compared to Spirulina and those like:

• It can grow literally EVERYWHERE. It's a weed, just like the name implies. You don't need any fancy glass tubes, pumps and whatever shit you need for algae farming, no. Just a puddle and optional trace elements. It's also not a "fancy algae strain" you have to order somewhere, you can just go to a local pond, scoop a hand full out of it, and then place it on your balcony or whatever and it will spread by itself.
• It doesn't need (even tolerate) lots of light. Algae are known for their high light requirements, sometimes even needing artificial lights, but this one grows in ponds on the forest floor and will not be happy if you leave it unshaded.
• It will come back after each winter
• AND: It's a viable plant source of vitamin B12!

It's almost impossible to find natural vegan B12 sources, because neither plants, nor animals or fungi, but bacteria, produce it.

Those duckweeds are known to live in symbiosis with those bacteria, and the B12 is then stored inside the plants, not the bacteria! So if you wash it, it still has the same nutritional content.

Also, similar to legumes, they can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, which is why you can find them everywhere.

I still have to back the claims up by real sources, because right now, most of that stuff is just "I read it somewhere on the internet", but here on Medium is another article about that.

This post is mainly there to spread the information that it exists in the first place, so maybe some facts are not entirely true, idk.

What will I do now?

I will try to find it outside and then try to grow it on my balcony to see how well it performs and tastes.

I can feed it with my depleted hydroponic nutrient solution that would land in the drain anyway, but still contains a lot of trace minerals and stuff.

And hey, even if it tastes like shit, which I doubt, because it's claimed to be taste neutral, I can turn it into an organic fertilizer :)