How does common duckweed typically grow?

Common duckweed typically exhibits a growth pattern that allows it to thrive as a free-floating plant on the surface of water bodies. This adaptation is significant as it enables the plant to access sunlight for photosynthesis without the need for soil anchoring or the complexities of being submerged. By floating on the surface, duckweed can rapidly reproduce and cover large areas of water. This growth form also plays a role in its ecological interactions, such as providing shade to the water below, which can affect water temperature and quality. In contrast, being submersed or rooted, as suggested by some of the other choices, would not be characteristic of duckweed's typical growth behavior, as these would impede its ability to float freely and efficiently engage with its aquatic environment.