The smallest fruit in the world is the one-seeded fruit of the plant Wolffia augusta from the Duckweed family. They are commonly known as Watermeal. These fruit are only 0.3 mm in length, which is equivalent to the size of one particle of table salt. The plant appears as light green grains and is about 1mm in length. The mature fruit occupies about one-third of this length.
Wolffia augusta floats on top of still water bodies like lakes and ponds. They are collected and eaten as vegetable in some parts of Asia. They are a good source of protein and about 40% of the fruit is protein by mass.
The fruit is often referred to as a 'utricle' because of its size and simplicity.
Wolffia augusta floats on top of still water bodies like lakes and ponds. They are collected and eaten as vegetable in some parts of Asia. They are a good source of protein and about 40% of the fruit is protein by mass.
The fruit is often referred to as a 'utricle' because of its size and simplicity.
