Ivy leaved duckweed ( lemna trisulca ) is 1 of 5  native duckweed species found in the uk and is common and widespread it is found in almost all freshwater habitats from puddles and ditches to large rivers and lakes it's a fast growing plant and can double its surface area in a couple of days in the right conditions unlike most other duckweed that float on the surface ivy leave duck weed floats just below the surface  ,duckweed is consumed by many different animals from ducks to great pond snails ,it is s also a good food source for apple snails and aquatic turtles.